Australian Aboriginal Language Early Childhood Education Programmes.

Overview & Synopsis

This report discusses the provision of culturally appropriate early childhood programs in Australian Aboriginal language in Australia, and the education of teachers for these programs. The first section of the report examines the education of indigenous peoples in the context of the current Australian education system. Evidence in support of the value of bilingual education is presented. The second section reviews the history of the relation between Australian Aboriginal peoples and European settlers. In the third section, statistics on Aboriginal participation in education and government agencies are presented, and bilingual and teacher education programs are discussed. Early childhood education for Aboriginal peoples is specifically examined in the fourth section. Early childhood programs for Aboriginals and efforts to support early childhood teacher education for Aboriginal teachers in South Australia and the Northern Territory are highlighted. It is concluded that Aboriginal culture can only be fostered through Aboriginal self-determination in education. Appendices include a list of persons and organizations contacted for the report, guidelines for questions asked of these persons and organizations, a description of culturally appropriate education, and notes on Aboriginal early childhood centers. A bibliography of 28 items is provided. (BC)