Selected
Early Childhood Development

Living First Languages Platform

Place-based, community-governed language and literacy resource and instruction in Indigenous Languages for children and families.

Team Leader
Eric Brace
Place-based, community-governed language and literacy resource and instruction in Indigenous Languages for children and families.

The Problem

221 million children globally lack access to education in their mother tongue, often a minoritized language, forcing them to learn both a new language and key foundational concepts at a young age with insufficient resources to succeed.

The Solution

Developed by the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation in consultation with community members, the Living First Languages Program and Platform equip Indigenous communities in Australia with digital tools to support children's early language and pre-literacy development in an Australian First Language. The platform allows members to create dynamic interactive resources in their own languages that combine with bespoke face-to-face training modules. The platform is complemented by evidence-based literacy training based on both speech pathology and early language educational best practices. Face-to-face and digital activities allow children to explore unique phonology, vocabulary, stories, and more with their families.

Stats

The Living First Languages Platform has directly engaged 1,237 community speakers, educators, and learners in co-developing indigenous language literacy tools.

What is the name of your organization?
Living First Languages Platform Company Pty Ltd
What is the name of your solution?
Living First Languages Platform
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Place-based, community-governed language and literacy resource and instruction in Indigenous Languages for children and families.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Sydney
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
—
What type of organization is your solution team?
Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
—
What specific problem are you solving?
221 million children globally lack access to education in their mother tongue, often a minoritized language, forcing them to learn both a new language and key foundational concepts at a young age with insufficient resources to succeed.
What is your solution?
Developed by the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation in consultation with community members, the Living First Languages Program and Platform equip Indigenous communities in Australia with digital tools to support children's early language and pre-literacy development in an Australian First Language. The platform allows members to create dynamic interactive resources in their own languages that combine with bespoke face-to-face training modules. The platform is complemented by evidence-based literacy training based on both speech pathology and early language educational best practices. Face-to-face and digital activities allow children to explore unique phonology, vocabulary, stories, and more with their families.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
The LFLP has been developed by the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) to meet the needs of children in remote Indigenous communities in Australia. Across Australia, Indigenous children are less likely to participate in early childhood education and other early learning programs, despite evidence showing that such programs can provide a powerful opportunity to break the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage. This leads to much lower educational attainment and engagement in school, as measured by Australia's National Assessment system, NAPLAN, and attendance rates. A lack of linguistically inclusive early education is recognised by communities and leaders as a major factor in low levels of attainment and engagement of Indigenous children and families in early education. ALNF, through the LFLP, seeks to make a real difference in the early literacy development of Indigenous and minority-language children in Australia and abroad.

Organization Type:
Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit

Headquarters:
Sydney, Australia

Stage:
Scale

Working In:
Australia

Solution Website:
https://www.livingfirstlanguage.org

Solution Team:
Eric Brace
Eric Brace
Director of Programs
Mark Macduffie
Mark Macduffie
Naomi Fillmore
Naomi Fillmore