Meeting community aspirations: The current state of Aboriginal language programs in NSW

Abstract

This is a brief overview of the current state of Aboriginal languages being taught in education programs in New South Wales (NSW). It provides a background to Aboriginal Languages teaching in the state and focuses on three languages with the longest history of teaching and running an extensive array of revival activities: Gumbaynggirr, Wiradjuri and Gamilaraay Yuwaalaraay (GY). The reflections that we draw from these well-known programs provide insights into the challenges being met as communities of Aboriginal people and language activists look to re-invigorate their languages for broader use in schools. It is our view that the tasks that need to be put in place are complex. The authors argue that while government has established a policy regime for this work to occur, its implementation has as yet not met the aspirations of both language workers and possibly even government.