Indigenous Literacy In Australia

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In Australia, most of our daily activities include literacy practices to some extent. Competency in literacy is required when reading medication labels, understanding instructions, traffic signals and other practices. Commonly, Standard Australian English (SAE) is used as a first language in Australian schools (Hanlen, 2010). However, Standard Australian English is not a first language for Indigenous students and in fact the most common language spoken by Aboriginal Australians is Aboriginal English (AE). Why do we need Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and how can teachers assist students to attain the essential language to break down barriers to a mainstream world?
Aboriginal English is derived from Aboriginal languages with …show more content…
To teach Indigenous literacies to Indigenous students in both teaching and learning will require a holistic approach (Hanlen, 2010). It is also a great opportunity for students to gain an understanding of this country and its original people. To maintain and preserve the Indigenous culture it is my duty to collaborate with nearby communities to maintain and revitalise Indigenous languages most familiar with the students (Troy, n.d). Teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages can provide methods to deeply understand their languages, culture, land, water, sea, sky, Country and Place and subsequently, educating about the importance of Indigenous language contributes to their wellbeing (Framework for Aboriginal Languages and Torres Strait Islander Languages, n.d.). The importance of learning Indigenous literacies is not limited to only indigenous students in fact, all students from Prep to year 12 will benefit. Australian language programs can change the culture in a school environment and engage children who previously were disengaged, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students (Price, …show more content…
Frequently, words have a different meaning in Aboriginal English compared to their meaning in Standard Australian English and different social contexts may also have an effect (What is Aboriginal English like, and how would you recognise it?). Learning these languages allows students to gain access to knowledge and understanding of this country that can only come from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander perspective (Framework for Aboriginal Languages and Torres Strait Islander Languages,

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