Not to Lose You, My Language (1-Year Access)

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This program looks at a bilingual education program in the Northern Territory set up by the Australian Department of Education, in which Aboriginal students are taught first to read and write in a language they understand. The aim of the program is to help these children see their language and culture as something worthwhile and so nurture their self-confidence and self-respect.

However, both English and Aboriginal languages are used in the classroom, and as there are many different Aboriginal languages, subjects are taught in a language appropriate to the subject matter. It is to be noted that the director wrote at the time: 'Despite the bilingual program, school is essentially a European institution, and the content of the film reflects this.'

(1975, 27 mins)

© National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.