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Celebrating Language Learning at Anangu Education Workshop
Home Celebrating Language Learning at Anangu Education Workshop
15 August 2025
4 minute read

In the first week of August, Anangu educators from Finke, Titjikala, Utju, and Yipirinya schools came together at Finke Aputula School for a workshop as part of their Certificate III in Learning a First Nation’s Language (10891NAT). Held on 6-7 August 2025, nine educators from these four schools participated in a program focused on Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara, and Pintupi-Luritja grammar, reflecting Batchelor Institute’s dedication to language maintenance.

The workshop aligned with Batchelor’s "Both Ways" philosophies by bringing together speakers, educators, linguists, and community members to share knowledge and strategies for learning and teaching their language. It promoted learning that values Indigenous knowledge equally alongside Western academic frameworks, with language networks elevating community expertise and Indigenous linguistic authority. Batchelor’s Both-Ways approach supports self-determination in education, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples shape their own learning journeys and cultural futures, while workshops, as part of language networks, are grassroots and community-led, respecting cultural protocols and custodianship of Country.

A highlight was when educators went on a bush trip for honey ants and developed texts based on the trip as part of their study of grammar. They then created lesson plans and teaching materials associated with the texts and taught a lesson with a class of Finke school students in Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara. Another key moment saw Susan Doolan share the Yankunytjatjara sound chart, which she developed during her Cert III studies, and which can be used to teach children to read and write their language.

This event builds on two years of workshops where Anangu educators from schools in Finke, Titjikala, Utju, and Mutitjulu communities have gathered to explore teaching their languages. The goals of the network are to strengthen programs teaching Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara, and Pintupi-Luritja to children on Anangu Country, connect Anangu educators, mentor the next generation of language teachers, and build capacity through planning and understanding the curriculum. The next workshop is scheduled for the end of October 2025 at the Mparntwe Batchelor campus.

Susan Doolan, educator at Finke School, said, "It was a good workshop. It is good to come together, all Anangu school workers, in community, to share resources, ideas and learn about our languages. It was good to spend time on country and in the classroom using our language resources with the children. It is good for them to see us learning together." Sally Axten, Professional Learning Leader at RATE NTDET, added, "These certificates are so important for teachers to learn about their languages and build strong language programs in schools."

Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (RTO No: 0383) is Australia’s leading provider of tertiary education for Indigenous Australians, delivering VET and higher education grounded in the “Both Ways” philosophy. With campuses on Kungarakan and Warai Country in Batchelor, as well as Arrernte Country in Alice Springs, the Institute supports students to achieve liberation through education. Learn more at batchelor.edu.au.
Images L to R

1. Susan Doolan Benedict Hayes Cristabel Wilyuka Lisa Mulda Dulcie Raggatt Morgana Garland-Fernandez working on Yankunytjatjara text
2. Group photo left to right Vanessa David Moore Benedict Hayes Sandra Windy Leanne Goldsworthy Susan Doolan Lucinda Nipper Shanti Doolan Dulcie Raggatt Veronica Long Cristabel Wilyuka Lisa Mulda Emma Browne
3. Lucinda Nipper writing Pitjantjatjara text on whiteboard Veronica Long Sandra Windy Shanti Doolan Leanne Goldsworthy Cristabel Wilyuka Lisa Mulda and Morgana Garland-Fernandez taking notes
4. Susan Doolan sharing the Yankunytjatjara sounds chart she developed at a previous workshop with son Benedict Hayes

Cert III Community Services - (CHC32015) - Anangu Participants
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