Focus stays on Aboriginal languages (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Focus stays on Aboriginal languages
By Education Reporter JEMMA CHAPMAN
08jan04
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/
0,5936,8345786%255E2682,00.html

THE number of school students studying Aboriginal languages has more
than doubled in the past four years, while interest in traditional
languages, such as French and Italian, has declined.

Education Department figures show the number studying Aboriginal
languages has risen from 2000 in 1999 to 4118 in 2003.

At the same time, the number of students studying French has dropped
from 15,206 in 1999 to 13,341 in 2003. Pupils learning Italian have
decreased from 13,583 to 13,305.

Enrolments in German and Japanese have also declined, but numbers
studying Greek and Indonesian have increased.

SA Secondary Principals Association president Bob Heath said yesterday
the increase in the study of Aboriginal languages reflected greater
cultural and racial understanding in schools.

"It's showing that our education programs are making students more
culturally aware and more racially tolerant than in the past," he said.

Of the 4118 students studying Aboriginal languages, 1653 were
Aboriginal and 2465 were non-Aboriginal. Languages include
Pitjantjatjara, Antikirinya, Kaurna, Arabana, Adnyamathanha,
Ngarrindjeri, Yankunytjatjara and Narrunga.

Demand for summer courses in Aboriginal languages has also increased.
Nearly 50 students are enrolled in the Pitjantjatjara Language Summer
School course at the University of South Australia's Underdale Campus,
which started on Monday and runs until January 16.

For the first time, a Kaurna language summer school course is being
offered because of growing demand.

About 40 students are enrolled in the course, which starts next Monday
and finishes on January 23. Students include people of varied
backgrounds, including public servants, community workers, lawyers,
teachers, health professionals and indigenous people working in health
and drug abuse areas.

SA Association of State School Organisations president John White
described the interest in Aboriginal languages as positive.

"It's important that we keep as many languages as possible in our
schools, so that present and future generations can communicate with
the world at large," he said.

Mr White questioned whether the decline in some more traditional
subjects was due to insufficient specialist teachers or simply a lack
of interest on the part of students.

SA Primary Principals Association president Leonie Trimper said the
increase in students learning Aboriginal languages could "only be a
good thing for keeping our heritage alive".

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