[Greens-Media] Teaching Indigenous languages important: Greens

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Teaching Indigenous languages important: Greens
Tuesday 18th November 2008

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.

"The evidence clearly shows that bilingual schools in Indigenous
communities actually produce better academic outcomes and better English
scores."

"Any plan to scale back teaching in first languages is a retrograde
step," said Senator Siewert.

"The Northern Territory Emergency Response review found widespread
community concern about low levels of English literacy among young
people, so we know that this is a huge problem for these communities."

"Taking away the ability for these children to learn in an effective and
culturally supportive way is not going to help the situation - only
hinder it. It will reduce learning outcomes and undermine efforts to
improve school attendance," she concluded.

For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418
401 180