Attitudes to Language in a Bilingual Program
Abstract
Language is an important part of a child’s total development as a person. Through language the child learns the behaviour patterns that are expected within his society, the society’s religious beliefs, and how the society sees the organisation of the world around it.
“Language is a powerful force of socialisation or the preparation of a young person for later life in a social group.” It has a vital function in “accumulating and transmitting culture” (Bostock, 1977, p.6).
References
Bostock William W., 1977 : Alternatives of Ethnicity. Corvus Publications, Melbourne.
Graham Beth : Distance of difference in Aboriginal education. The Aboriginal Child at School, 10:4, 1982 .
Harris J. and Sandefur J. : The Creole language debate and the use of Creoles in Australian schools . The Aboriginal Child at School, 12:1 , 1984.
Harris Stephen : More haste less speed: time and timing for language programs in Northern Territory Aboriginal Bilingual Education. The Aboriginal Child at School, 8:4, 1980.
Harris Stephen , Graham , Beth , Buschenhofen , Paul : Aboriginal Bilingual Education in the N.T.: Priorities for the Second Decade. Paper presented at the 9th Annual Congress of the Applied Linguistics Association of Australia, Alice Springs, 1985.
O’Grady G. and Hale K , 1974: Recommendations Concerning Bilingual Education in the Northern Territory. Dept. of Education, Darwin.
Report on the 3rd Meeting of the Bilingual Education Consultative Committee. 27–29 November, 1974. Dept of, N.T. Division, Darwin.
