Aboriginal EALD

Aboriginal Education and Communities directorate has a range of professional learning options for staff to complete to increase awareness about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander EAL/D learners in NSW public schools.

Students who are not yet fully proficient in using Standard Australian English (SAE) may require additional support at school. Schools need to work sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families to better identify the dialects and languages that students may bring to the learning environment. It is also important to remember that SAE is the first language for many Aboriginal students in NSW. These students are not EAL/D learners.

Aboriginal Ways of Using English (AWoUE)
Aboriginal Education and Communities have produced a professional learning resource,  Aboriginal Ways of Using English,  consisting of videos and a discussion guide. This resource has been devised with a specific focus on Aboriginal students in NSW who use Aboriginal English (AE) or other Aboriginal Ways of Using English as their main home dialect AWoUE is a ONE hour self-directed course available on MYPL. It is suitable for all NSW Department of Education school staff.
The Capability Framework: Teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander EAL/D Learners
The Capability Framework is a cross-jurisdictional initiative. It was developed to increase the capacity of teachers in rural, remote and metropolitan areas across Australia to better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander EAL/D learners. The Framework is aligned with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and can be used by teachers and school leaders. Use of the Framework is voluntary but it is highly recommended that teachers and supervisors familiarise themselves with it.
Teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander EAL/D Learners (The EAL/D Hub)

The EAL/D Hub is an online professional development course for teachers. It was developed collaboratively by experts from across Australia. NSW Department of Education staff can claim 25 hours PL once they have completed the 8 modules and 29 eBooks.

For NSW Department of Education staff there are also EAD Teaching Kits available from the  Henry Parkes Resource Centre  which teachers can borrow.

EALD Learning Progressions

The 2025 revised EALD Learning Progressions are designed to assist teachers in supporting students who are learning English as a second language or additional language dialect. It helps teachers to understand students' linguistic and cultural diversity.

EALD students come from diverse backgrounds and may include First Nations Australian students whose first language is an Indigenous Australian language, including traditional languages, creoles or Aboriginal English.

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Our Hubs

Learn about our hubs and where they are located across NSW.