First Nations Languages Education Program
The First Nations Languages Education Program will support community language learning activities that increase the numbers of language speakers and educators. The Australian Government Department of Education has partnered with First Languages Australia to design a national grant program sufficiently flexible to meet local language community needs.
Grants will be available for projects that:
· deliver intensive community language learning activities,
· support community language learners to develop teaching skills, and
· build or extend community-led partnerships toward teaching languages in schools.
Expressions of Interest have now closed. Through the coming months, First Languages Australia will be working with language communities to develop project plans that meet the above criteria.
Key Dates
07 December 2023 – Expressions of Interest open
28 February 2024 – Expressions of Interest close
March 2024 (anticipated) - Grant round open
Please note: The grant round will closed once funds have been allocated. Communities who have not submitted an EOI and developed a language plan with First Languages Australia will not be able to apply for a grant.
For any further information about the program please contact us at fnl@firstlanguages.org.au.
First Nations Languages Education Program- FAQ’s
Professional Development
The First Nations Languages Education program team are arranging monthly professional development webinars on topics relevant to First Nations language educators and language learning. The sessions are open to all to attend and you can access recordings of these sessions via our Vimeo page.
Topics hosted to date include:
Pertame Ngetya untya- Pertame School
Industrial guidelines for employees delivering First Nations language programs - information session
Training provider showcase featuring University of Queensland, Research Unit for Indigenous Languages (RUIL) and Living Languages
Launch of the revised Australian Curriculum Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages - ACARA
Resources for Language Work - presented by First Language Australia
How to get started in preparing a local language curriculum with language educator Nathan Schrieber
These sessions will continue to run throughout the FNLE program and we welcome feedback on topics that may be useful. You can keep up to date with the topics either by following us on Facebook or by emailing our team to be added to our mailing list.
Resources
First Languages Australia works with educators to develop plans and produce resources that support the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who wish to share their languages through schools, early learning centres and beyond.
Our Resources and Projects for Educators page contains resources that may be useful to Indigenous language teachers, educators, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language teaching teams and schools looking to work with their local language custodians to share their languages through school and early learning programs.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators and language advisory groups working with schools may also find our projects and resources for families and communities useful.
External resources
Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP)
Building on ICIP considerations noted in Queensland’s Principals’ Guide to teaching an Aboriginal language or Torres Strait Islander language (2018), the Queensland Department of Education has worked with Terry Janke and Company to publish an Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Protocol for the teaching of Aboriginal languages and Torres Strait Islander languages (2022). The protocols include a package of template agreements designed to ensure clarity between collaborating schools and language custodians. The resources are relevant for use and adaption nationally.
Community School Agreements
Templates have been provided by the Queensland and Northern Territory Education Departments which can be adapted nationally. All of the programs in the FNLE are expected to have an agreement between the community and the school that will document the commitments of each party.
Queensland Department of Education
The above link includes access to a Template Statement of Intent and Template Terms of Reference.
The above link includes access to a Template 4 ILC Program Agreement.
Industrial Guidelines
The Queensland Independent Education Union has developed industrial guidelines to support the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language educators. These are relevant nationally and are available here.
Artwork:
Kulgan (following new pathways)
By Faith Baisden