Language

__Language__

**What is the Current Situation of Language Programs Across Australia?** VICTORIA:
 * Currently no state wide policy or approaches in place on implementation in Victorian state schools, although this is being looked at to change
 * In 2007, the Victorian Government commissioned a workshop which looked in to developing a state wide Indigenous language policy
 * To address the lack of Indigenous languages in Victorian schools, VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) is looking in to developing a structure for an Indigenous languages syllabus, which will be based around the NSW model, for Kindergarten to Year 10 students
 * With the support of organisations like VACL, communities across Victoria are reviving Indigenous languages through the use of language camps, community awareness, school programs, music, workshops and educational material for children
 * Woolum Bellum campus of the Victorian College of Koorie Education, Morwell: here the curriculum places importance on the Gunnai language and culture. Majority of the students are Koorie and from Gunnai famillies
 * Worowa Indeendent Aborginal College, Healsville: here Yorta Yorta is taught. Students come from all over Australia

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:
 * Numerous Indigenous languages are being taught across Western Australian schools
 * Courses are being developed at TAFE to teach these languages
 * Across WA, eight language centres are in operation. One of their aims is to develop material to be used in primary schools to promote Indigenous languages and keep them alive, specifically through traditional songs, dances and ceremonies
 * Morditj Noongar Community College (primary school for indigenous children): Language a and culture are taught and are part of the curriculum

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:
 * Back in the mid 1980s, Indigenous languages were included in the curriculum for the South Australian state schools
 * There used to be a wide range of programs and centres available for teaching the nine main Indigenous languages
 * There is much backing for Indigenous Language programs mentioned in government strategies, however they do not have a state wide language policy for Language Education to be implemented in SA schools

NORTHERN TERRITORY:
 * The Northern Territory's Curriculum Framework for its primary schools has references to Indigenous Language and Culture and outcomes for programs relating to reviving and maintaining Indigenous languages

QUEENSLAND:
 * Many bi-lingual programs used to be running in schools across the state, however withdrawal of funding from the Federal Government lead to the end of these. Many efforts have been made since the programs ended to get them back in to schools, but limited schools have been successful
 * Move to develop Indigenous languages as an accredited LOTE (languages other than English)
 * Some local communities have taken it upon themselves to create Indigenous language programs in their primary schools, as a result of the lack of action from the Queensland Government

NEW SOUTH WALES:
 * Currently the only Australian state to have a government-supported and comprehensive state wide policy, released in 2004, with framework for the teaching of Indigenous languages in schools
 * 2006: 46 programs offered to 25 primary and 9 secondary schools, with a variety of 10 main Indigenous languages

**What is the Range of Indigenous Languages and Population Across Australia?**
 * Many p lace names and the names of outback landforms used commonly by all Australians are in indigenous languages
 * Before colonisation, approximately 250 Indigenous languages existed in Australia, with that increasing to about 500 as some as these languages had several varieties
 * More than 75% of these languages have been lost to date, and the remaining are at high risk of extinction
 * Recently there has been increased interest for the use of these indigenous languages in south east Australia

VICTORIA:
 * Approximately 40 languages spoken pre-colonisation

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:
 * Nine more prevalent languages the two main ones being Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara

NORTHERN TERRITORY:
 * In the Northern Territory there is a high percentage of Indigenous students in the many primary schools. There is a high number of people that speak an indigenous language as well as English or speak Indigenous languages at home (40%)
 * This leads to the higher focus on this topic in this state than any other in Australia
 * 6 main Indigenous languages that are commonly taught in NT schools

QUEENSLAND:
 * There are three strong Indigenous languages used throughout the Queensland region - Wik, Tharoore and Kala Kawaw Ya (KKY)

NEW SOUTH WALES:
 * Pre-colonisation, there were over 70 Indigenous languages spoken throughout NSW, compared to now, when all of the remaining languages are declining rapidly and there are only 10 languages that are 'healthy' enough to be taught in primary schools across the state
 * A census taken in 2001 showed that 0.7 percent of NSW's Indigenous population spoke an Aboriginal language at home
 * In 2004 the Aboriginal Curriculum Unit developed an Aboriginal Languages K-10 Syllabus. The Syllabus aims to formalise and promote Aboriginal language programs in local primary schools. It hosts workshops and provides information and resources to NSW schools to assist them in incorporating the Indigenous languages education in the curriculum in to their school programs

**What are the Advantages/Why is this Needed?**
 * Gain deeper appreciation about Australia's cultural heritage (DT)
 * Increased attendance, retention and literacy among indigenous students
 * Make language education accessible to the Indigenous community
 * Identity and Pride
 * Language is a part of the culture, and giving children knowledge gives them empowerment

"In an effort to improve retention rates and literacy amongst Indigenous students the NSW State Government announced in September this year (2007) that they will make it compulsory to teach Indigenous languages in schools with high Indigenous populations. They cited the improvement in retention and literacy amongst Indigenous students at Bourke High School since they started teaching Wangkumarra." **What Groups/Organisations are Driving this?**

Local Indigenous communities are the driving force behind the desire for Indigenous languages to be included in their local school's program. VICTORIA:
 * VACL (Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages)

NORTHERN TERRITORY:
 * In 2005, NT Minister made the statement that the state would aim to 'put Bilingual education back on the agenda', however no dramatic change has been noted so far

QUEENSLAND:
 * Federation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages (FATSIL) works with local schools to support their development of language programs

NEW SOUTH WALES:
 * The ALRRC, of NSW, funds many (around 21) community language revitalisation projects