Created by Casa Areyto founder and educator Priscilla Colón with support from 7000 Languages, the National Native American Language Resource Center, and language advocates who volunteered their time, this is the first digital course for English speakers to learn Taíno language. Using the latest language-learning technology from Transparent Language Online (TLO), the course teaches Tainonaíki, a modern version of Taíno outlined in the book Primario Básico del Taíno‑Borikenaíki by polyglot scholar Javier A. Hernández. The Tainonaíki for Beginners course offers an invaluable resource for learning this reawakening Indigenous language, drawing from a variety of sources, including Taíno words and phrases that survived the colonial era through Spanish language documentation and related sister languages among the Arawak language family.

Lessons are organized into 52 themed units, offering practice in 4 key language acquisition skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing. Dynamic videos, imagery and activities across 138 engaging lessons will take students from having zero knowledge of Taíno to being able to hold conversations about everyday events, such as introducing yourself and others, talking about your family and profession, discussing the weather, telling time, and more.

The course is available for free here at www.7000.org/languages – and at www.casaareyto.com with additional family learning resources—children’s books, videos and more—designed by Hispanic Studies scholar, author, artist and curriculum designer Priscilla Colón. Watch for the Tainonaíki for Beginners course for Spanish speakers, coming soon! (December 2025)

What you'll learn:

Friends and family
Meeting and greeting
Nature
Holidays and celebrations
Common vocabulary
Culture
Grammar