Ilokano Language: Expanding the Conversation with Debra Arellano, PhD

Building on the foundation established in the previous course, Ilokano: Expanding the Conversation takes your skills further by exploring deeper Ilokano vocabulary and more complex social interactions. Students will transition from basic phrases to active storytelling and practical navigation, learning how to hold vibrant conversations in different social situations, navigate the warmth of home parties and schooling, and give or follow directions with confidence. This level emphasizes describing our contexts—learning how to speak about our current environments and personal experiences. It is designed for those ready to move beyond the basics and start weaving the language into the fabric of their daily lives.

Course Details:

Tuesdays from 7pm - 8:30pm PDT, August 18 - October 6, 2026

Week 1: August 18

Week 2: August 25

Week 3: September 1

Week 4: September 8

Week 5: September 15

Week 6: September 22

Week 7: September 29

Week 8: October 6

Format: Virtual

Cost: $200 for a 8-week course meeting once weekly

Requirements:

• Computer or Tablet
• Notebook and Pen
  

Debra Andres Arellano, PhD is an educator, researcher, and community organizer specializing in Ilokano language and cultural preservation. She serves as an Instructor for the Ilokano and Philippine Studies Program at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College. She earned her PhD in Educational Foundations from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where her research focused on the intersections of Ilokano educational philosophy and indigenous feminism. In addition to her academic role, Dr. Arellano is a co-founder of Kaibigan ng Lahaina, a community-led organization dedicated to culturally-sensitive disaster response. Her professional background includes extensive experience in student support services across the high school, community college, and university levels, with a focus on developing inclusive pedagogical frameworks for Filipino students. Dr. Arellano’s work bridges academic theory with practical cultural advocacy. She views the instruction of the Ilokano language as a critical site for cultural reclamation, utilizing the symbiosis of language, foodways, and indigenous knowledge as essential technologies for community healing and diaspora resilience.

For more information about Manilatown Academy and/or the Manilatown Heritage Foundation, please email us at [email protected].