Bilingual Language Teaching

Abstract

Since Amata Aboriginal school commenced late in 1968 we have followed a policy of respecting the wishes of the parents. One such wish was that their children learn to read and write their own language as well as learn to speak, read and write English: Hence, the policy regarding language teaching at Amata school stands: “to teach literacy in both languages.”

Basically, the means by which we attempt to meet the demands of this policy consist of beginning all instruction in and about Pitjantnatjara. Then, once a level of proficiency has been attained, (mainly a sound phonetical grasp of Pitjantjatjara) the particular child is moved to a class where instruction is almost entirely in and about English.

Thus, the infant grades’ language lessons are mainly Pitjantjatjara. We have been fortunate in the past to have a European teacher who could, before two years in the area, speak Pitjantjatjara fluently. She could, thereby, teach the infant children about Pitjantjatjara.

Now we have Aboriginal teacher aides who are doing the same job, with a European teacher as part of the teaching team.

Once a child is proficient in Pitjantjatjara the next move is into grade 3 where European teachers, with the assistance of an aide, take over the child’s instruction. In fact, by this stage, the child has attained a few phrases of English speech and can write some basic words.

Presently, the grade 3’s (for want of a better title) range in age from nine to sixteen years, and are divided into a class for boys and a separate class for girls, this being the expressed desire of the boys. It is mainly the grade 3 boys’ class which will be discussed here. However, most of what is mentioned is also applicable to the class of girls.