Wayilwan Gunuya-li (do with energy speak) language program is developed and delivered by Warraan Widji Arts in consultation with Warren Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG). The lessons are delivered at Warren Preschool Kindergarten Inc, and pending ongoing funding, Warren Central School and St Mary’s Parish School, Warren.

The accredited Wayilwan language program Wayilwan Gunuya-li (do with energy speak) is informed by place based and strengths based pedagogical approaches to learning.

It uses Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and in an educational context uses:

·      the Strong and Smart (Sarra, 2011) approach and

·      an Indigenous Standpoint Pedagogy (ISP) (Phillips, 2019)

As such, the program integrates local (Warren) context and stories. 

 The program uses the Accelerated Second Language Acquisition (ASLA) model.  Images/pictures and singing are the predominant means to teach vocabulary and language concepts.

There a currently 4 units on offer to be delivered sequentially. Each unit runs for 10 weeks (one or two 20-40 min lessons/week) and comes with a resource pack.

 Units focus on strengthening each child’s identity and critical thinking skills.

 1.     Who Am I? Connections to Wayilwan Country Part 1 Use songs and pictures to explore personal identity, introduce cultural identity, a sense of belonging, a sense of place and grows confidence in communicating in Wayilwan Language.  Features the songs: Ngiyani Garra Magu (We Are Australian) and Head Shoulders Knees and Toes and others 

2.     Where am I? Connection to Wayilwan Country Part 2 - Features the song - The Buraalga (Brolga) Song – Explores sense of place to inform identity.  

3. Connection to Warraan Community – Part 1 Features the song Yanama-li (Lean on Me) Explores sense of belonging, place and cultural identity.  

4.     Connection to Warraan Community – Part 2 Features the song Ngadhi -dja Wara-ya (Stand by Me). Explores sense of belonging, place and cultural identity

Wayilwan Gunuya-li language resource packs come with: 

·      MP3/.WAV zip file of a song in Wayilwan language sung by the Warraan Widji Arts First Nations’ Youth Choir

·      Direct translations

·      English speak translations

·      Activity sheets/notes which increase cultural capability of users

·      Music score

·      Contextual explanations of the translation and protocols for its use personal, social and public use