Phonological Awareness and Its Role in Early Literacy Development in First Language Speakers in West Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia: A Case Study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Wilkinson, Luke

Affiliations: School Therapy Services, Territory Health Services, PO Box 40596, Casurina, Northern Territory 0811, Australia

Abstract: Phonological awareness has been recognised as playing a contributing role in the development of reading and spelling. Speech and Language Pathologists and other educational professionals collaborated with three Aboriginal communities to provide a programme targeting the development of literacy skills for Aboriginal students. Educators based in Aboriginal communities were trained in phonological awareness as applicable to that community’s first language and also to Standard Australian English (S.A.E.).

Keywords: Aboriginal Australian, phonological awareness, literacy, standard Australian English (S.A.E.), first language (L1), second language (L2), English as a second language (ESL)

DOI: 10.3233/ACS-2001-11106

Journal: Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 69-74, 2001