Taking the level-two Tetun course

[asakiyume]

During the summer I took the level-one Tetun course (Tetun: the lingua franca in Timor-Leste) offered through Timorlink. It's an Australia-based program, but the teachers all have deep connections with Timor-Leste.

Next week I'm starting the level-two course, and--because life is stranger than fiction--my teacher is going to be none other than the inestimable Kirsty Sword Gusmão.

Life keeps thrilling me--I feel so lucky to be alive!

Comments

[osprey_archer]

Ooooh! That's so cool!

[asakiyume]

I'm just beside myself! Self and self, together boggling!

[cmcmck]

Living where we now do I'm wondering about picking up some Welsh as we hear it on the streets every day.

[asakiyume]

That's a great idea!

[queenoftheskies]

That's exciting!

[asakiyume]

I'm excited!

[sovay]

Next week I'm starting the level-two course, and--because life is stranger than fiction--my teacher is going to be none other than the inestimable Kirsty Sword Gusmão.

That's wonderful.

[asakiyume]

I'm super psyched--breaking my toe since posting this entry has put a damper on the day, but awesome things are still awesome.

I see you've been having a challenging day too--may the tech gods be appeased and your electronic problems ameliorate.

[sartorias]

Wow, go you!

[asakiyume]

~ excited! ~

[sonia]

Fantastic! What a great chance to get to know her. I hope learning from her is everything you hope and more!

[asakiyume]

Thank you so much! I am definitely looking forward to the chance to get to know her!

[anna_wing]

How interesting! Any particular reason?

I understand that they've been separated for a while.

[asakiyume]

They have been, and she's been quite vocal speaking against his support of an abusive priest over there.

You mean any particular reason why I'm taking the course, or why she's teaching it? I'm taking it because I've wanted to learn the language since going there in 2013. (I did some self-study before going--there were resources available online--but I only got to a very rudimentary point.) In terms of practicality for my life now, it isn't a very practical decision, although there's a local-to-me coffee importer who has a relationship with coffee producers in one district, and I have daydreams about parlaying language skills into some sort of one-off job for that guy--maybe I could do a site visit for the company or something. Or who knows?

As for why she's teaching, I think it's probably just a way of supporting Timor--the money we pay they use for programs over there, and by teaching the language she, and Timorlink generally, help stimulate and support interest in Timor-Leste.

[anna_wing]

While doing this for its own sake is entirely worthwhile, it would be brilliant if you could do something with it as well!

[amaebi]

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE OMG!

[asakiyume]

SO cool! Very, very excited for the class.