Teachers

Busking For Change is a joyful musical multi-literacy activity where students come together, learn and perform a song in an Aboriginal First Language and raise funds to support more Communities to access books and have their stories published in languages they speak at home.

Once you have signed up your school, you will find a range of music charts, videos, lyrics in English and Yawuru and tools like posters, posts for social media and information to share with your school community. Everything you need to make your fundraiser a success!

Shelley Ware

ILF Ambassador and specialist educator

“Busking For Change aligns with the National Curriculum - languages, music, art, drama, civic and citizenship, respectful relationships - the list goes on. This is a fantastic opportunity for your school and your classrooms to connect with First Nations culture. Learn a song, change the world!”

June Oscar OA

ILF Co-Patron and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

“Languages are entwined with cultures and the work that the ILF does to support the publishing of stories in First Languages helps keep our culture alive.”

This experience has been incredibly rewarding, offering valuable learning opportunities for the children. Through their engagement with Shordi Krik, they have learned a beautiful song, improved their visual literacy, deepened their connection to the Styles Street community, and gained a better understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander relationships with Country. They also developed a growing appreciation for our First Nations linguistic diversity."

Early Learning Teacher

Styles Street Children's Community Long Daycare Centre

Books in First Languages

Did you know that for many children in remote Australia, English may be their second, third, fourth plus language and not the language they speak at home?

Books written in a First Language assist in maintaining and preserving a language for generations to come. There is abundant research that shows that bilingual and bicultural education helps accelerate reading and promotes full participation from young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners in schooling.

It is important that Indigenous children can see themselves, their culture and languages reflected in the books they read. Having books that share local stories in First Languages, preserves and maintains Indigenous languages and culture, as well as builds pride, identity and strengthens a sense of belonging, confidence and wellbeing.

By supporting your students with a Busking For Change fundraiser, your school is supporting children in remote Communities around Australia with vital literacy resources. Thank you!