Start small

Write about topics that are familiar, interesting, fun to you.

Writing ideas for short stories:

1. poem (free form structure)

2. describe your favorite tv show

3. describe an episode of your favorite tv show

4. give a review of a song/movie/book/appliance

5. a current event; a neighborhood/village/city

6. about a fiesta your attended

7. instructions; how to fix the washer, play guitar, write a poem

Short stories and poems

Examples of some short stories and poem to inspire you.

Other ways to contribute

Submit audio or video of your story/poem.

How to contribute

Everyone learns different. On the Internet, we are fortunate to have online classes, websites, videos and books to help learn Chamorro. We hope there’s a method that matches your preferred learning style. The first step is to start. Nihi ta tutuhon.

Chamorro Language Lessons Online via Zoom
Weekly lessons hosted by Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua
Follow the Guam Bus for the next session.
https://www.instagram.com/theguambus/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/theguambus

Northern Mariana Islands Chamorro Language video lessons
Conducted by Saipan elementary school teachers
Various lessons across five episodes
https://www.youtube.com/@LetsLearnSeries/featured

Learning Chamoru website
Chamorro language lessons (self-guided), dictionary, videos, audios
University of Guam
https://www.learningchamoru.com/pages/how-it-works

A great place to start learning Chamorro is the alphabet. There are several options below.

Fino’ Håya, Chamorro Alphabet, videos
Listen to the alphabet and common words in the Chamorro language
Project created by Guam Community College
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPm96kjx5ng

Atfabeton CHamoru, video
Siñora Mesa
Northern Mariana Islands teacher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnIjUnNKrPI

Children Books, Flashcards, Games
The Guam Bus
Children books are a great place to start learning the language
https://www.theguambus.com/products

The most popular Chamorro Dictionary book
For those who want a physical dictionary
Topping, Ogo, Dungca
The official Chamorro-English Dictionary

Online Chamorro Dictionaries
Free online dictionary websites
Learning Chamoru’s Dictionary
chamoru.info
CNMI and UCSC Chamoru Dictionary PDF

I Atfabeton Chamorro: The ABCs of Chamorro, book
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1935198181

Everyday Chamorro: Chamorro Language Phrases for Beginners, book
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25117515-everyday-chamorro

Other books for learning Chamorro
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/132976.Chamorro_Language

Let’s learn from how other people succeeded in learning Chamorro.

LearningChamoru.com website’s – 10 Tips for Learning CHamoru

Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua’s – Tips for learning Chamorro

Watch a video of Chamorro language scholars giving tips to learning Chamorro
Umeyak Chamoru – 10 Tips for Learning the Chamorro Language

Here are more suggestions to learning Chamorro

1. Set language-learning goals
   Research shows that people who set the right kind of goals are more likely to achieve success.
2. Learn the “right” words
   Identify what words, phrases and expressions with practical, colloquial topics then work your way up from there.
   Start learning with our 700+ common Chamorro words
   Other tips for building vocabulary
3. Use flashcards
   When learning your words, you’ll learn faster by using the very best study techniques, such as using spaced repetition software (SRS).
   Try the Guam Bus Chamorro flashcards
4. Study smart
   Talk when you read and write. It will help you remember faster if you vocalize your target language.
5. Think in your target language
   Thinking directly in your target language as much as possible will help you avoid errors and speed up the learning and speaking process.
6. Start using the language all day, every day
   Tape new words around your house, like your bathroom and kitchen walls, for visual cues.
7. Get plenty of comprehensible input
   To get good at a language fast, you’d want to get a lot of comprehensible input (listening and reading), especially at the start.
   ie. TV shows, comics, online videos, podcasts or even actual conversations
   I Sakman I Fino’-ta is an immersive Chamorro language experience with stories, poems, songs, word games are more.
   Listen to Chamorro talk radio on K57 with host Robert Underwood
   Listen to the 1908 Chamorro Bible
8. Watch movies and use subtitles
   They’re a great example of comprehensive input. Plus to make studying fun.
   A Chamorro animated movie: Maisa the Chamoru Girl who Saves Guåhan
   A TV drama series in the Chamorro language, Siha
   Watch the Life of Jesus, dubbed in Chamorro
9. Listen to music and learn the lyrics
   If you love listening to music and do it anyway, why not listen to it in your target language!
   Listen to Chamorro music on Dandan Marianas and Fanachu Live
10. Read local literature
    If advanced novels and books are too daunting for you now, try learning with bilingual books, children’s books or books designed for language learners.
    Children Books in the Chamorro language:
    The Guam Bus
    The UOG Press
11. Seek out real-life practice
    Get talking right away, from the very early stages of your language learning journey!
12. Learn about the culture
    It’s important to learn about the culture and history associated with these words.
    Visit the Guam Museum
    Read stories about Chamorro language, culture and history by Pale Eric Forbes
13. Consider investing in tutoring
    Hire a tutor. This is a good option for getting on the fast track to language success.
14. Test yourself
    • Learningchamoru.org has lessons with quizzes at the end.
15. Plan a virtual trip
16. Travel and immerse yourself
    Summer 2025 Guam Chamorro Adult Immersion Program
    https://www.sinipok.org/
17. Learn from every mistake
18. Have fun!
    Play word games on I Sakman I Fino’-ta

Similar language learning tips
https://www.futurelearn.com/info/blog/how-to-learn-a-language
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/fastest-way-to-learn-a-new-language/

Last updated on March 31, 2025