Salish Fluency Transfer System workshop
The Salish Indigenous Language Fluency Transfer System (ILFTS) Workshop was hosted by First Languages Australia and Batchelor Institute, in Mparntwe on June 19th-20th. The workshop was presented by the team from The Salish School of Spokane, USA, alongside members from the Pertame School, who have successfully implemented the Fluency Transfer System within their language program.
The Salish School of Spokane has successfully trained new, advanced speakers of ̓nsəlxčin which has allowed them to establish and operate a high quality ̓nsəlxčin ‘immersion school in Spokane, Washington. They travelled to Australia to share their story and methods with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups. The workshop provided inspiration and skills to help language communities to create and deliver the ILFTS in their own languages and create new, advanced fluent speakers who can become language educators themselves.
Over 90 language teachers, learners and custodians gathered, representing more than 40 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. This event was a valuable and rare opportunity for community members to access professional development on Indigenous pedagogies and perspectives.
First Languages Australia will now focus on supporting a network of communities who are looking to move forward with the development of a Fluency Transfer System for their language. More information about the workshop and the ILFTS can be found on our website, which we will continue to update as the network develops.
Image 1 - Pic credit: Angela Harrison. Attendees of the Salish ILFTS Workshop gathered at Batchelor Institute.
Image 2 - Pic credit: Vanessa Farrelly. Community members listening to Principal at the Salish School of Spokane, Chris Parkin.
Image 3 - Pic credit: Vanessa Farrelly. The Salish School’s LaRae Wiley and Grahm Wiley-Camacho sing a traditional song.
Image 4 - A welcome dinner hosted at the Batchelor Campus.
Image 5 - Pic credit: Vanessa Farrelly. Dominique Wiley-Camacho leads a Salish language class with the workshop attendees.
Image 6 - Pic credit: Angela Harrison. First Language Australia’s Annalee Little (left) and Pertame School’s Vanessa Farrelly (second from left) thank the Salish School team.
