An article for Queensland Teachers Union Professional Magazine, November 2008. By Denise Angelo & Baressa Frazer, Far North Queensland – Indigenous Schooling Support Unit.
Language
Teaching is all about communication and that is precisely what languages are for: Languages encode meanings, transmit cultures, express identities, recognise rights, confer justice and word history.
In Queensland schools, only one language variety is “sanctioned” for classrooms and this is Standard Australian English [SAE]. This variety is used for teacher education courses, for school enrolment forms, for year 3, 5, 7 tests. But many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families do not use SAE at home. So many Indigenous students come to school thinking and speaking with other language varieties. Language difference becomes a language gap when teachers are not appropriately equipped to meet these students’ language learning needs.
(more…)
posted by admin on Sunday, November 30, 2008
Question: Where can you get an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flag for your school?
Answer: From your Federal Member or Local Council.
Local Federal Member provides flags (Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) to schools in their electorate
Local councils give out Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to schools in Queensland.
Thank you Desmond Crump and Camille Neilson for letting us know!
posted by admin on Thursday, November 20, 2008
Putting the hope into Hopevale
Greg Sheridan, Foreign editor, The Australian | November 15, 2008
THREE little boys, aged about eight or nine, are sitting in front of a computer. One is manipulating the mouse, one operating the keyboard and one is half-reading a picture book while he also looks at the computer. What are they looking at?
Read the full article
posted by admin on Saturday, November 15, 2008
Media Release | Greens Spokesperson Rachel Siewer
Plans to restrict the use of local Indigenous languages in Northern Territory schools are a backwards step, said the Australian Greens today.
“It is clear there is a huge amount of concern over English literacy in the Northern Territory, but we need to ensure there is a researched-based reason for any radical changes to the curriculum, particularly when it comes to language,” said Senator Rachel Siewert.
“What we need is evidence based policy that works towards creating better education methods for our children. We know that to engage kids with education, schools need to be accessible, culturally appropriate and meet kids’ needs. These changes don’t do this.”
“Evidence suggests that teaching in both Indigenous languages and English enables a more detailed and mature understanding of English and better engagement – as it allows children to learn based on already developed language skills,” said Senator Siewert.
Read the full press release
posted by admin on Friday, November 14, 2008
The fabulous women at the Nalingu Language Centre have started a facebook group so that we can all stay up to date with the great work they are doing.
The groups is called “Proud To Be Gunggari”, and the Gunggari Language team would love us all to use it to keep in contact with them.
To see more details and confirm this group invitation, follow this link.
posted by admin on Wednesday, November 12, 2008
