Some Dilemmas of Literacy Teaching in a Cross Cultural ContextMichelle Collins, Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Participation, Research and Development, James Cook University. AbstractYarrabah is an Aboriginal community in which I have lived and taught for ten years. The dialect spoken is Aboriginal English (AE) while the desire of many is to gain proficiency in standard Australian English (SAE). This arises from the recognition of the role of SAE as 'gatekeeper' to the institutions of the dominant culture. Yet Aboriginal English is often construed as a liability by SAE literacy teachers, and some SAE support practices colonise AE speakers into the dominant cultural ethos. At the same time, much teaching practice takes insufficient account of ancillary provisions necessary to enhance proficiency in a second dialect. While 'English as a second language' may well be understood, 'English as a second dialect' is yet to be so articulated. In this workshop I would hope to revisualise some of these dilemmas of the practices of literacies. |
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