Aussie state to introduce Aboriginal language learning at schools

SYDNEY, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Aboriginal students in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) will soon be able to learn their own language in schools as part of the state's curriculum reforms.

The plan, announced by the state's education department on Monday, will see a new Aboriginal Languages syllabus be available for teachers to plan during 2023, and be available to be taught in NSW schools from 2024.

"The new syllabus gives students valuable opportunities to learn the language of their local area and develop an understanding of Aboriginal languages and cultures," said NSW Minister of Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell.

"For the first time students who speak an Aboriginal Language or Torres Strait Islander Language at home will be able to progress the study of that language at school."

The content of the new syllabus is available in two pathways, one for students with no prior learning, and another for ones who already speak their language at home.

The syllabus, developed with the support of the Aboriginal Community members, will also offer guidelines for schools on how to involve local Aboriginal communities when teaching the language.

NSW is home to over 35 Aboriginal language groups and 100 dialect variations.

In 2016, the estimated resident population of Aboriginal people in the state was 265,685, representing 3.4 percent of the total NSW population, while less than 1 percent of Aboriginal people in NSW spoke an Aboriginal language at home, compared with 15 percent for the rest of Australia.

"Creating more opportunities for Aboriginal students to communicate in an Aboriginal language not only strengthens their connections to country, culture and their identity but it promotes the importance of language revitalization and the continuation of learning," said Ben Franklin, NSW minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Arts, Regional youth and Tourism.

"Empowering young Aboriginal people to maintain a strong sense of identity, belonging and culture and learn more about Aboriginal languages is also hugely beneficial to their overall educational and social outcomes."