[EDLING:1311] New course for Indigenous language teachers

[Francis M. Hult]

ABC Online

http://www.abc.net.au/message/news/stories/s1586650.htm

New course for Indigenous language teachers

Then listen up – the Koori Centre at The University of Sydney, has just 
launched its Masters of Indigenous Languages Education Now that the NSW 
education system enables students to study an Aboriginal language from first 
starting school through to Higher School Certificate, there will be an 
increased demand for Indigenous language teachers. 

The Koori Centre’s Masters program is the only program of its kind and is only 
available to Aboriginal students who have a four year teaching qualification 
(either a Bachelor of Education, or a three year degree and a Diploma of 
Education, or hold other qualifications acceptable to the Koori Centre).

The course is held in block mode with students travelling on to campus six 
times a year for a week at a time. Students who live more than 1.5 hours 
travelling time from the University will have their travel, meal and 
accommodation expenses covered by Commonwealth government funding. 

The course does attract HECS fees but, because the course is in a national 
priority area, the amount of HECS levied will be in the lowest band. Students 
may elect to pay their HECS upfront and receive a discount, or defer payment 
to the future through income tax payments.

The course includes linguistics for Indigenous languages, and components in 
teaching Indigenous languages such as Theories & Methods in Language Learning; 
Language Curriculum Development; Technology & Language Learning. 

>>From 2007 the Koori Centre is proposing to introduce a Graduate Certificate 
and Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Languages Education. Candidates who have 
successfully completed two years of a recognised teaching qualification will 
be eligible for entry to the Graduate Certificate which will consist of four 
of the units of study from the Masters program. Students who successfully 
complete the Graduate Certificate will be eligible to complete two further 
units of study and qualify for the Graduate Diploma, or complete the remaining 
four and qualify for the Masters. 

If you would like further information about the Masters of Indigenous 
Languages Education contact Carol Speechley on (02) 9351 7008 or email on 
carol at koori.usyd.edu.au