Indigenous students deserve more support with print literacy

Indigenous students still need and deserve support when starting school, if they speak Aboriginal English (AE) or a traditional language at home. Transitioning into school is difficult enough without the added challenge of learning to read and write in a language you do not speak at home, and seldom hear outside of the school environment. Since this interview in 2012, Australian educators are more aware of Aboriginal English, but we believe ALL teachers need to have a deep understanding of how AE differs from Standard English, and what this means for their AE-speaking students.

Off to school.