Bilingual Education Program
“Bilingual education is the systematic use of two languages, one of which is English, for instruction and learning in all or part of the school curriculum. It is an academic program in which the two languages in both oral and written forms are used as mediums of instruction where appropriate.”
Bilingual programs in schools promote the learning of the vernacular as well as English, and the use of both languages for learning. They recognise and respect the language and culture of the community and foster students’ pride in their identity.
The Indigenous Education Strategic Plan 2006-2009 defines bilingual education as “a formal model of dual language use where students’ first language is used as a language for learning across the curriculum, while at the same time they are learning to use English as a second language for learning across the curriculum”.
Bilingual Education Programs (BEP) are supported by the Northern Territory Curriculum Framework through the Indigenous Languages and Culture (ILC) component. This section identifies outcomes for Indigenous Language Maintenance and Language Revitalisation Programs.
Language Maintenance programs aim to extend and develop learners’ first language skills in listening and speaking, reading and writing. Students learn initial literacy through their first language and use literacy as a tool for their first language study throughout their schooling. The knowledge and skills that students learn in their first language assists in their learning of, in and through English.
Language Revitalisation is the approach taken when the language is still spoken by one or more generations of older speakers. Children do not speak the language, but are likely to have a good passive knowledge. Language Revitalisation programs aim to extend the use and knowledge of the language into younger generations of speakers.
Schools delivering a Language Maintenance (LM) bilingual program and a Language Revitalisation (LR) bilingual program are listed in the table below:
| School | Languages | Program Type |
| Areyonga School | Pitjantjatjara, English | LM |
| Lajamanu CEC | Warlpiri, English | LM |
| Maningrida CEC | Burarra, Ndjébbana, English | LM |
| Milingimbi CEC | Yolngu Matha, English | LM |
| Shepherdson College, Galiwin’ku |
Yolngu Matha, English | LM |
| Willowra School | Warlpiri, English | LM |
| Yirrkala CEC | Yolngu Matha, English | LM |
| Yuendumu CEC | Warlpiri, English | LM |
| Numbulwar | Wubuy (Nunggubuyu) | LR |
Specialist Staff in the Bilingual Education Program
School-based positions:
- Executive Teachers Level 2 Two-Way Learning
- Literacy Workers at Administration Officer Level 3
- Literature Production Supervisors (in 4 Literacy Resource Development Units) at Administration Officer Level 5
- Additional Assistant Teacher positions
Office based positions:
- Regional Language Resource Officers at Professional Level 3
- Program Manager at Administration Officer Level 8
Bilingual Education Program Evaluation and Accountability
Bilingual schools undertake biennial appraisals in which the bilingual program is reviewed and reaccredited. From 2008, this will occur within the DEET Accountability and Performance Improvement Framework (APIF) for all schools.
Future Directions
The Indigenous Education Strategic Plan 2006 – 2009 commits the Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET) to “strengthen the bilingual program and improve its effectiveness and sustainability to deliver outcomes.” (Priority 1: Literacy and Numeracy Programs)
Contact
Program Manager, Bilingual Education Program (BEP)
Teaching, Learning and Standards Division
Telephone: (08) 8999 4229