Immersive teaching placements in Anangu communities

Dr Sam Osborne has created an immersive teaching placement program for third-year Bachelor of Education students at the University of South Australia (UniSA). In 2024 and 2025, a total of 20 students have been hosted by schools across the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) and Yalata Lands. These preservice teachers are immersed in Anangu communities as part of their teaching placements. A vital component of the program is an orientation, where preservice teachers develop relationships with language experts and Elders and learn about Anangu histories, language and cultural contexts. This foundation equips students with a preliminary understanding of Anangu lifeworlds. With this grounding, students go on to co-plan lessons, bringing learning to life through culturally responsive and relational pedagogies that integrate local language resources and knowledges with the Australian Curriculum. Delivered in close partnership with local Anangu educators, this ‘Red Dirt Curriculum’ approach promotes meaningful, contextually responsive classroom practices. For more from University of South Australia visit: UniSA Homepage: https://www.unisa.edu.au/ UniSA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniSA/ UniSA Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/UniversitySA UniSA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/universitysa/ UniSA Weibo: http://weibo.com/studyatunisa CRICOS provider number 00121B / Australian University provider number PRV12107