WA schools take first steps towards offering formal Noongar language learning

The Western Australia Department of Education has begun the first step in a process that will allow Noongar language to be formally taught in schools, just as Asian and European languages are.

Noongar, the language of Aboriginal people of WA’s south-west, has been taught on an optional basis in WA primary school for 20 years — now the education department has big plans to offer it as part of language learning.

Kevin O’Keefe, principal advisor of Aboriginal education teaching and learning,…