Indigenous intergenerational learning: unlocking the potential of ACE to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes for Indigenous children

This paper contends that the adult and community education (ACE) sector has a strong role to play in increasing the literacy, numeracy and learning skills of Indigenous adults which, in turn, supports the literacy, numeracy and learning skills of Indigenous children. The findings in this paper are based on a literature review and a series of interviews conducted with key stakeholders. The first section of this paper highlights the importance of home literacy practices to attain functional literacy and provides the elements and features required to inform the development of an effective intergenerational learning model. The second section considers the potential role of ACE in engaging parents and extended family to improve the literacy and numeracy of the family as a whole. Finally, the third section provides a summary of selected literacy and numeracy learning programs across Australia with intergenerational components, as well as information on available evaluations and outcomes of the programs

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