Course revives Ngarrindjeri language (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

19 October 2007
Australia

Course revives Ngarrindjeri language
http://murraybridge.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/course-revives-ngarrindjeri-language/1072342.html

[photo inset - Graduates: Students Louisa Schapel, Mary-Anne Gale, course
coordinator Charmaine Elvey and students Addy Smith and Lynne Graham are
proud to have graduated from the program.]

A UNIQUE course that revives the native Ngarrindjeri language and teaches it
to students at TAFE SA's Murray Bridge campus has just been completed for
the first time, with 16 students graduating.

The program, titled 'Introduction to Vocational Education Certificate (with
a Ngarrindjeri language focus)', involves studying the language, along with
its grammar and pronunciation.

TAFE SA regional education manager Tom Haig said the idea of the course was
to "revitalise" the language.

"The Ngarrindjeri language has been lost to the indigenous community
itself," he said.

“It’s a fantastic program.”

Students studied intensively under the guidance of University of Adelaide
lecturers Dr Mary-Anne Gail and Doctor Peter Mickan and course coordinator
Charmaine Elvey to earn their certificates over a 12-week period.

Dr Haig said he was delighted with the success of the course and how well
TAFE SA and the University of Adelaide had worked together. “This is a
first class example of institutional cooperation with staff working
together who are focussed on providing students with a valuable and
enriching learning, cultural experience,” he said.

Aboriginal elders Eileen McHughes and Julia Yandell mentored students
through the program, which was well-received by its participants.

“The course has enabled me to teach the Aboriginal students at school in the
Ngarrindjeri language instead of the language the curriculum offers,”
student Linitji Graham said.

The course was funded after the University of Adelaide successfully obtained
a Commonwealth Government grant to resource the language component of the
program, adding an exciting dimension for the overall study program.