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A language nest creates a space where young children can be raised in their Indigenous language through meaningful interaction with fluent Elders and Educators, where all communication will be carried out in the Indigenous language. Language Nests have been recognized internationally as the most successful means to revitalise endangered Indigenous languages. Language Nests gained international recognition through the Te Kōhanga Reo Māori language nest movement in New Zealand, inspiring early childhood immersion programs for Indigenous languages in Hawaii, North America, Canada, and Alaska.

Pertame, also known as Southern Arrernte, belongs to the country South of Alice Springs, along the Finke River. Pertame is a severely endangered language, with only 10-20 fluent speakers within the grandparent-great grandparent generations. It is essential that the intergenerational transmission of Pertame is revived if the language is to continue. The Pertame Master-Apprentice Program has been working with Pertame Elders to develop Adult fluent speakers, who are now ready to become Educators within the Pertame Language Nest.

The Pertame Ngetya Untya (Language Nest) is a language immersion playgroup for 0–5-year-olds and their carers to develop Pertame as a first language alongside English. This program works to create bilingual, culturally resilient, and community-connected children, ready to transition into further schooling. Early childhood is a critical time for the development of children’s’ language, cultural identity, social and interpersonal skills.

This Language Nest will lay strong foundations for Pertame children to develop pride and confidence in their cultural identity, self-esteem, and a sense of security within their Pertame community to increase their overall wellbeing later in life.  The 2020 National Indigenous Language Survey (NILS) found learning language increased Indigenous student’s confidence and engagement in school, and increased their community pride in their culture, social connectedness, and social efficacy (AIATSIS, 2020). Studies from the Mi’kmaq immersion programs in Nova Scotia showed that students in the immersion programs also attained high academic achievement (Tompkins & Murray Orr, 2011).

The Pertame Language Nest is grassroots, community-driven program that will work in partnership with the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education and the Larapinta Childhood and Family Centre. The Project Coordinator, Pertame Educators and Elders running the program are Pertame community members, employed by the Batchelor Institute. The Larapinta Childhood and Family Centre has offered a space and the use of their bus service to support the Pertame Language Nest in-kind.  

The Language Nest will operate out of the Larapinta Centre 3 days a week for 3.5hrs a day, totalling 10.5hrs per week of complete language immersion for Pertame babies. The program will offer personal hygiene lessons (lhwalhema), healthy morning tea (merna rlkwema), free play (arrkenha-irrema) and structured circle time activities (purta-irrema kaltya-irretyeka) within Pertame language. Circle time sessions will include Pertame stories, arts, craft, movies, songs, dances, games, and activities that are culturally relevant to the children, supported by their parents and extended family. 

Download our information Flyer for parents and carers here