History of Bilingual Education in the Northern Territory: People, Programs and Policies (Language Policy, 12)

This book provides the first detailed history of the Bilingual Education Program in the Northern Territory of Australia. This ambitious and innovative program began in 1973 and at different times it operated in English and 19 Aboriginal languages in 29 very remote schools. The book draws together the grassroots perspectives of Indigenous and non-Indigenous practitioners and researchers. Each chapter is based on rich practitioner experience, capturing bottom-up aspirations, achievements and reflections on this innovative, yet largely undocumented language and education program. The volume also makes use of a significant collection of ‘grey literature’ documents to trace the history of the program. An ethnographic approach has been used to integrate practitioner accounts into the contexts of broader social and political forces, education policy decisions and on-the-ground actions. Language in education policy is viewed at multiple, intersecting levels: from the interactions of individuals, communities of practice and bureaucracy, to national and global forces. The book offers valuable insights as it examines in detail the policy settings that helped and hindered bilingual education in the context of minority language rights in Australia and elsewhere. Front Matter....Pages i-xxvii A Thematic History of Bilingual Education in the Northern Territory....Pages 1-10 A Glimmer of Possibility....Pages 11-25 Reflecting on Team Teaching....Pages 27-33 ‘Bilingual Time’ at Willowra: The Beginnings of a Community-Initiated Program, 1976–1977....Pages 35-48 Lessons Learned from Bilingual Education....Pages 49-60 Starting Out at Bamyili: Factors Specific to the Development of the Kriol Program....Pages 61-71 Boom and then Bust: Lessons Learnt from My Time Teaching in Three Bilingual Schools in the Northern Territory....Pages 73-84 The Policy Framework for Bilingual Education in Australian Indigenous Languages in the Northern Territory....Pages 85-99 Consolidation, Power Through Leadership and Pedagogy, and the Rise of Accountability, 1980–1998....Pages 101-112 The Development of Successful Bilingual, Biliterate and Bicultural Pedagogy: Place for Tiwi Teachers and Tiwi Language in Learning....Pages 113-126 Developing Local Curriculum Materials—Learning Metaphors, Insightful Collaborations, Community Involvement....Pages 127-139 The Quest for Community Control at Yirrkala School....Pages 141-148 Language Revitalisation in a Bilingual Program—The Case of Numbulwar School....Pages 149-163 Threatened Closure: Resistance and Compromise (1998–2000)....Pages 165-178 Defending Our Program at Wadeye....Pages 179-184 Sources of Evidence on Student Achievement in Northern Territory Bilingual Education Programs....Pages 185-202 Policy Change in 2008: Evidence-Based or a Knee-Jerk Response?....Pages 203-218 Policy and Practice Now....Pages 219-236 Starting Out at Yuendumu School—Teaching in Our Own Language....Pages 237-246 Stories from Central Australian Indigenous Community Schools in the Pintupi-Luritja Region....Pages 247-257 Yipirinya School: That Generation, This Generation....Pages 259-267 The Program at Wadeye, Past and Present....Pages 269-284 We Did It! A Case Study of Bilingual/Bicultural Education at Ltyentye Apurte Catholic School....Pages 285-292 Forty Years on: Seeking a Way for the Future—Dhawal’yurr Yuwalkku Dhukarr. Reflections on Bilingual Education at Shepherdson College, Galiwin’ku....Pages 293-306 Reminiscences: Working Together in a Bilingual Classroom....Pages 307-324 Reflections on My Years at Elcho and Mäpuru (1978–2015)....Pages 325-330 Digital Futures for Bilingual Books....Pages 331-345 Back Matter....Pages 347-353 ....Pages 355-375