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Irakasle
Formakuntza
Taldea
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Program Overview
NABO Euskara recognizes the growing interest to learn Euskara across the US and Canada, but we lack enough qualified teachers. The Irakasle Formakuntza Taldea (Euskara Teacher Training Program) fills this gap by training instructors so each Basque Club or organization has at least one teacher to help engage with interested members .
The program is 3-years, online, and asynchronous, starting September 2026. Each year has two six-month terms and includes a 1-week, in-person summer immersion experience in the US. These summer sessions follow a Barnetegi-inspired intensive learning model, bringing all participants together for focused, in-person instruction prior to starting the next six-month term.
At the conclusion of Year 3, participants who have maintained good standing throughout the entirety of the program are invited to a two-month intensive immersion experience at Maizpide Barnetegia in Lazkao, Gipuzkoa, Euskal Herria. The purpose of this learning experience is both to deepen language proficiency and to celebrate program completion.
By the conclusion of the program, participants will:
Achieve a B1 level of proficiency in Euskara
Participate in two week-long Euskara “Barnetegi”-inspired immersion sessions in the U.S.
Complete up to a two-month immersive learning experience at Maizpide Barnetegia in Lazkao, Gipuzkoa
Be prepared to teach beginner-level Euskara in their local communities or online, with the opportunity for paid instruction
< Program Outcomes
The goal of the Irakasle Formakuntza Program is to support Basque Clubs by training designated instructors who will provide in-person or virtual Euskara classes tailored to their community’s needs.
To ensure accountability and sustained engagement, a formal agreement will be signed prior to program commencement and renewed on a yearly basis.
After successful completion of this 3-Year program and achievement of a B1 level Euskara proficiency, the participant agrees to teach four (4) 12-week semesters of Beginner level Euskara classes in a two-year period. They will teach for a NABO member organization or NABO Euskara Online.
Specific teaching expectations (e.g., duration or number of classes) may be subject to change in coordination with the needs of NABO Euskara and/or the Euskal Etxea that is signing the agreement with the participant.
They will be paid according to NABO Euskara or NABO member organization contract determinations.
> Community Commitment
All asynchronous coursework and Summer Barnetegi-inspired immersion sessions are facillitated by a seasoned educator from Maizpide Barnetegia in Lazkao, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country.
Curriculum is Euskara Munduan and additional materials based on Euskara Munduan principles are used to support a robust learning experience
NABO Euskara teaches from the same curriculum. If you have taken Euskara with NABO some of the materials may be familiar
< Expert Instruction
< Cost
Thanks to generous funding from the Basque Government, each participant is granted a full scholarship. This scholarship covers tuition, U.S.-based Barnetegi sessions, and the Maizpide Barnetegi immersion experience fully. Each participant must maintain good standing in the program to maintain their scholarship.
Year 1
Sept. 2026-Aug. 2027
200 Hours
Complete A1.1-A1.2 in it’s entirety
Weekly “Mintza Saioa”
7-10 day in-person Summer Barnetegi (USA) at end of 1st year
Year 2
Sept. 2027-Aug. 2028
300 Hours
Complete A2.1-A2.2 in it’s entirety
Weekly “Mintza Saioa”
7-10 day in-person Summer Barnetegi (USA) at end of 2nd year
Year 3
Sept. 2028-Aug. 2029
200 Hours
Complete B1.1-B2.2 in it’s entirety
Weekly “Mintza Saioa”
2-months at Maizpide Barnetegia (EH) after successful completion of 3rd year & maintenance of “Good Standing”
Program Expectations
After the selection process, each selected participant will sign a yearly contract to receive and maintain this scholarship. The participant will agree to maintain “Good Standing” in the program in order to complete the 3-year program in its entirety.
To maintain “Good Standing” each participant must:
Sign a yearly contract
Complete 80% of the “Azken Lana” unit assignments by the due date assigned
The program follows an accelerated yet structured pace. One unit of the Euskara Munduan curriculum is introduced each week. There are several exercises to support the learning of the topics introduced in the unit. To demonstrate mastery of the unit, participants are required to submit the final assignment or “Azken Lana” of each unit within two weeks of the release date. Each six-month term covers approximately 15 units, totaling 30 units per year.
Attend 80% Mintza Saioak organized and scheduled by the instructor
Maintain 80% attendance during Summer Barnetegis hosted in the US
Achieve minimum competency in the language level completed in the year in order to continue to the next level. (A1 → A2 → B1) This will be determined by end of semester student assessments done by the instructor and reported to NABO Euskara.
If the participant is unable to maintain good standing, they may be determined ineligible to continue with the Cohort
New participants may join the Cohort at the start of Year 2 or 3 if they are at an equivalent competency level as the main Cohort
Participants must complete the Online academic portion of this program in order to be eligible for the 2-month Maizpide experience offered at the end of Year 3.
Did you miss info night?
Watch the recording of our presentation of this scholarship program here.
Application Requirements
Application Opens: June 1st, 2026
Application Closes: July 31st, 2026
Application will be posted here on opening date and will be sent in our newsletter on opening day. Please ensure you are checking the website and/or signed up for our email list (below)
Applicants notified of acceptance: by August 7th
Accept or Decline Scholarship offer: by August 10th, 2026
In the event that a scholarship offer is declined, we will offer the scholarship to the next applicant on the waitlist by August 11th, 2026.
Program Welcome and Orientation: Week of Aug 16-22 via Zoom (date depending on cohort availability)
Official start date: August 31st, 2026
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APPLICATION IS OPEN FOR THE 2026 COHORT!
Submit your application by July 31st, 2026
15 scholarships will be offered by August 7th, 2026
In the event that a scholarship offer is declined, we will offer the scholarship to the next applicant on the waitlist by August 11th, 2026
One application per applicant
If you have made an error on you application, please email euskara@naboeuskara.org to communicate corrections.
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FAQs
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It is NABO's Teacher Training Group designed to recruit, train, and support Basque language (Euskara) instructors across North America. It provides language instruction, pedagogical preparation, and a supportive network for those sharing the language.
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Not necessarily. While a background in education or language studies is highly beneficial, the program is designed to teach and guide advanced Euskara speakers who have a strong desire to teach and sustain the language within the diaspora community.
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No previous study or knowledge of Euskara is required to begin this program in September 2026. Course work will begin with beginner level (A1.1) material. However, if you have previous knowledge, there are options to start later in the program at your current level. Email us for more information regarding starting at a higher level.
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This will be determined on a case by case basis. Once you reach a High Beginner/Low Intermediate baseline (such as completing the A2 level tracks) and are actively moving toward B1 fluency, you may contact the Euskara Coordinator to discuss transitioning into the Formakuntza Taldea at a different time and level. Please email NABO Euskara for more information.
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This course is designed for highly motivated students willing and able to devote multiple hours per week working through coursework at a fast pace. The commitment varies depending on the unit’s materials. Expect to spend a few hours per week working through materials at your own pace, completing assignments, and attending live “Mintza” (speaking) sessions with your instructor.
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Because the group focuses on language acquisition and authentic Basque teaching methods, the training sessions and collaboration within the Formakuntza Taldea are conducted primarily in Euskara.
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NABO’s official curriculum uses Batua (Standard/Unified Basque) to ensure a standardized foundation for all learners across North America. However, training also prepares teachers to recognize and respect regional dialects, as many diaspora communities have deep historical roots in specific provinces like Bizkaia or Zuberoa.
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Trainees will go on to teach in one of two formats: either leading live, synchronous online beginner classes facilitated directly by NABO for remote learners, or teaching in-person classes locally through a registered NABO Basque Club.
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NABO heavily subsidizes and supports its language program to sustain Euskara in North America. Check the page’s specific registration text, but generally, the primary requirement is your time, language skills, and dedication.