International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples / Indigenous Languages Listening Lab
Indigenous Languages Listening Lab
Children listen to short official recordings of Indigenous languages from Australia and around the world, then mark each language on a map and talk about why keeping languages alive matters.
How to run it
- Explain that the United Nations has named 2022 to 2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, because many are at risk of being lost.
- Find short audio or video clips of speakers from official sources, such as AIATSIS, First Languages Australia, UNESCO or the language community's own organisation, and preview each one.
- Play each clip and have children guess the continent before revealing the language and where it is spoken.
- Pairs mark each language on a world map, then the group discusses how communities are reviving and teaching their languages today.
You will need
- device and speaker
- projector or screen (optional)
- world map
- sticky dots or labels
Make it easier or harderYounger children point to the continent on a globe; older children research one language revival project and report back.
SafetyUse recordings only from official or community sources, and follow any warnings about images or voices of people who have died.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 2, Outcome 5Children develop respect for language diversity and learn how Indigenous communities keep their languages strong.
Fits these theme days
International Day of the World's Indigenous PeoplesInternational Mother Language DayNAIDOC WeekAround the World DayInternational Literacy Day
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