Language Programs in schools
Aboriginal language work is supported by the State government as part of a strategic plan that links community language work with language education work in schools, gaols and detention centres, and with appreciation of Aboriginal languages in the wider community (link to pages).
NSW Aboriginal Languages in Schools
The ALRRC supports the NSW Board of Studies, the Department of Education and Training, and other agencies to provide NSW students with opportunities to learn Aboriginal languages. This is achieved by building the foundation of language revival within the Aboriginal community by supporting community projects. ALRRC actively works with these agencies providing strategic support for school-based programs.
School-based Aboriginal Languages Programs The NSW Office of the Board of Studies released the Aboriginal Languages K-10 Syllabus in 2003. Like the Aboriginal Languages Policy, it is the first of its kind in Australia.
Assisting school or community teams to implement the Syllabus is a priority for the Aboriginal Curriculum Unit of the NSW OBOS. Board staff work intensively with school or community teams by holding workshops every term to provide the following:
- Language research and team building
- Opportunities to learn language
- Language teaching methodology, and
- Planning and programming.
Board staff regularly help Government, Catholic and Independent schools campaign for the teaching of Aboriginal languages and language revival at both Government and community level.
Developing Aboriginal language programs in schools using the Syllabus is also an important goal of the Department of Education and Training.
Of the 46 functioning school-based Aboriginal language programs in NSW in 2006, 41 were in NSW Government schools in 10 languages (Bundjalung, Dharawal/Dhurga, Dharug, Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay/Yuwaalayaay, Gumbaynggirr, Ngiyampaa/Ngemba, Dunghutti–Thungutti, Wadi-wadi, Wangkumarra and Wiradjuri). The Aboriginal Education and Training Directorate provides funding to DET school-based Aboriginal language programs. For more information on this initiative go to http://www.aboriginaleducation.nsw.edu.au/
The Aboriginal languages consultant at the Languages Unit of the Curriculum K-12 Directorate provides comprehensive support for school language programs. This includes professional development for the members of school-based Aboriginal language teams, school staff and Aboriginal community members. An Aboriginal Languages newsletter is circulated to all schools with Aboriginal language programs.
The website provides further information and resources: http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/languages/aboriginal/index.htm
TAFE courses TAFE NSW conducts an accredited training course in Aboriginal languages. The Certificate I – Aboriginal Languages course was developed in consultation with Aboriginal communities across NSW.
Universities Many universities in NSW convene mainstream courses such as Linguistics, Teaching or Aboriginal Studies which may be useful for people keen to do work on the revival of Aboriginal languages. Currently only Sydney University conducts specific courses on Aboriginal Languages. These are the Gumbaynggirr and Gamilaraay language summer schools and a Masters in Indigenous Languages Education, administered by The Koori Centre: http://www.koori.usyd.edu.au.