Minneapolis: Education Kalon Dr Pema Yangchen and Representative Ngodup Tsering wrapped up their visit to Minneapolis on 23 July 2018. The purposes of their visit are to train the participants of ‘workshop for Tibetan Language Teachers in North America”; and to meet with Tibetan Community in Minnesota, which has the third largest Tibetan population in North America.
Ngawang Chime, President of Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota welcomed and thanked the Kalon, the representative, Chithue Tsewang Rigzin, Chithue Khenpo Kadrak Ngodup Sonam and all the people who were present at the meeting.
In her address, Education Kalon stressed the need for teaching the Tibetan language to the children by generating interest through sharing personal stories and experiences. She cited an example of her American friend who has German ancestry, could not learn German properly in spite of his sincere efforts. His children neither speak German nor do they have an interest in learning.
The Representative emphasised that in a democracy, rights and duties must complement each other, therefore it is utmost important to protect the democratic institutions and aware the public as well.
The teacher’s training workshop was organised by the Office of Tibet, Washington DC with the support of the Department of Education, CTA and Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota(TAFM) and financially supported by donors; Ashish Family, Chela, Jon and Lama Pema Wangdak. Forty-Five Tibetan Teachers from Thirteen Tibetan Associations in North America have participated in the workshop in Minnesota. The resource persons for the Workshop: Kalon Dr Pema Yangchen taught the participants on Teaching Pedagogy; The Representative spoke on Secular Ethics; Tenzing Nuba trained them on Child Psychology and Tsering Samdup taught them how to teach Tibetan as a second language and use of technology.
-Report filed by OoT, Washington DC-