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Ms Susan Poetsch

MA(ApplLinguistics)(Sydney), BA(DipEd)(Macquarie), GradDip(TEFL)(Sydney)
Lecturer - Indigenous Education

A35 - Education Building
The University of Sydney

Telephone +61293515202

Website Patyegarang: Indigenous Australian languages education website

Biographical details

Susan is undertaking PhD research as part of the Aboriginal Child Language Acquisition Project, a collaboration with the Australian National University and The University of Melbourne. She joined The University of Sydney in 2010 as a lecturer in the Koori Centre, and now works in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. She teaches units of study in Indigenous education, and Indigenous languages education in the School of Education and Social Work, and units of study in the Indigenous Studies Major in the School of Literature Arts and Media.

Prior to this she was a curriculum officer in the Aboriginal Curriculum Unit of the Board of Studies NSW. Her role involved working with Aboriginal community members, linguists and school staff to implement the Aboriginal Languages K – 10 Syllabus and develop local programs in various locations across the NSW; and working with teachers and community members to incorporate Aboriginal content and perspectives in various curriculum areas.

Susan’s experience also includes working as: research assistant on the Australian National Placenames Survey at Macquarie University; project officer for the Federation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages; teacher-linguist for the Katherine Region Aboriginal Languages Centre in the Northern Territory; English language teacher in China, Korea and Sydney and a primary school teacher on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait.

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Research interests

Reseach on teaching and learning

Social structures, inequalities and social justice

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Keywords: Australian languages, Indigenous languages education, language revitalisation, Indigenous teacher education, Indigenous Australian learners.

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Associations

Applied Linguistics Association of Australasia

Australian Linguistics Society

First Languages Australia

Foundation for Endangered Languages

Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities

Modern Languages Teachers' Association NSW

Resource Network for Linguistic Diversity

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Awards and honours

Faculty of Education & Social Work Teaching Excellence Award 2013 (Koori Centre Team Award)

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In the media

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Selected publications

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Edited Books

  • Hobson, J., Lowe, K., Poetsch, S., Walsh, M. (2010). Re-awakening languages: Theory and practice in the revitalisation of Australias Indigenous languages. Sydney: Sydney University Press. [More Information]

Book Chapters

  • Poetsch, S., Jarrett, M., Williams, G. (2018). Building on achievements: Training options for Gumbaynggirr language teachers. In P. Whitinui, C. Rodriguez de France & O. McIvor (Eds.), Promising Practices in Indigenous Teacher Education, (pp. 175-187). Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. [More Information]
  • Poetsch, S. (2018). Languaging their learning: How children work their languages for classroom learning. In G. Wigglesworth, J. Simpson & J. Vaughan (Eds.), Language Practices of Indigenous Children and Youth The Transition from Home to School, (pp. 147-172). London, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. [More Information]
  • Gawne, L., Wigglesworth, G., Morales, G., Poetsch, S., Dixon, S. (2016). Australia - Making the ESL classroom visible: indigenous Australian children's early education. In Victoria A Murphy and Maria Evangelou (Eds.), Early childhood education in English for speakers of other languages, (pp. 111-136). London: British Council.
  • McNaboe, D., Poetsch, S. (2010). Language revitalisation: Community and school programs working together. In John Hobson, Kevin Lowe, Susan Poetsch and Michael Walsh (Eds.), Re-awakening languages: Theory and practice in the revitalisation of Australias Indigenous languages, (pp. 216-224). Sydney: Sydney University Press.
  • Simpson, J., Corris, M., Manning, C., Poetsch, S. (2002). Dictionaries and Endangered Languages. In David Bradley and Maya Bradley (Eds.), Language Endangerment and Language Maintenance, (pp. 329-347). London: Routledge Curzon imprint of Taylor & Francis.

Journals

  • Poetsch, S. (2013). Communities, linguists and strengthening Indigenous languages in Australia. Studi Italiani Di Linguistica Teorica E Applicata, 42(2), 271-293.
  • Poetsch, S. (2011). Languages on the national scene: Indigenous languages. Languages Victoria, 15(1), 43-46.
  • Corris, M., Manning, C., Poetsch, S., Simpson, J. (2004). How Useful And Usable Are Dictionaries For Speakers Of Australian Indigenous Languages? International Journal of Lexicography, 17(1), 33-68. [More Information]

Conferences

  • Poetsch, S. (2014). Why Aboriginal languages teaching sometimes works: a view from New South Wales. Practices and Policies: Current Research in Languages and Cultures Education. Selected Proceedings of the Second National LCNAU Colloquium (2013), Canberra: LCNAU (Languages & Cultures Network for Australian Universities).
  • Poetsch, S. (2009). Aboriginal and Indigenous perspectives and content across the curriculum. Aboriginal Studies Association Conference, Koori Centre, University of Sydney.
  • Hobson, J., Poetsch, S. (2009). Aboriginal languages syllabus implementation and teacher training. Aboriginal Studies Association Conference, Koori Centre, University of Sydney.
  • Lowe, K., Poetsch, S. (2009). Fostering revitalisation through teaching and learning small languages in schools in NSW. 1st International Conference on Language Documentation and Conservation (ICLDC) 2009: Supporting Small Languages Together, Manoa, Hawaii: University of Hawaii.
  • Poetsch, S. (2009). School-community partnerships for Aboriginal languages programs in NSW. Australian Federation of Modern Languages Teachers’ Associations, 17th Biennial Conference, Dialogue, Discourse, Diversity, 2009.
  • Poetsch, S. (2008). Promoting reconciliation through teaching and learning Aboriginal languages. 4Rs conference: Rights Reconciliation Respect Responsibility.
  • McNaboe, D., Poetsch, S. (2008). Revitalising Aboriginal languages through school programs in NSW. World Indigenous People’s Conference – Education, 2008.
  • Poetsch, S. (2008). Working to revive language in a school setting. Bayala Ngarala, the Indigenous Languages Institute of Lingfest 2008.
  • Munro, J., Poetsch, S. (2007). It just takes one interested person: The ripple effect of enhancing community capacity in language revival activities in NSW. Inaugural Indigenous Languages Conference (ILC), South Australia: School of Humanities University of Adelaide.
  • Poetsch, S. (2007). The ripple effect of enhancing community capacity in language revival activities in NSW [Panel discussion]. Inaugural Indigenous Languages Conference (ILC), South Australia: School of Humanities University of Adelaide.

Report

  • Rhydwen, M., Parolin, E., Munro, J., Poetsch, S. (2007). Report on School-based Aboriginal Language Program Activity in NSW During 2006.
  • Poetsch, S. (2006). Feasibility Study for a NSW Aboriginal Languages Development Institute. Revitalising Aboriginal Languages in NSW. A review of key documents and current initiatives.

Other

  • Hobson, J., Poetsch, S. (2013), Patyegarang (Indigenous Australian languages education website). [More Information]
  • Poetsch, S. (2010), Revitalising Aboriginal Languages in NSW. Contributions from School Programs (Paper presented at 'Bridging the Gap Through the Contributions of Education and Social Work symposium', Faculty of Education and Social Work and the Koori Centre, University of Sydney, 27 August).

2018

  • Poetsch, S., Jarrett, M., Williams, G. (2018). Building on achievements: Training options for Gumbaynggirr language teachers. In P. Whitinui, C. Rodriguez de France & O. McIvor (Eds.), Promising Practices in Indigenous Teacher Education, (pp. 175-187). Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. [More Information]
  • Poetsch, S. (2018). Languaging their learning: How children work their languages for classroom learning. In G. Wigglesworth, J. Simpson & J. Vaughan (Eds.), Language Practices of Indigenous Children and Youth The Transition from Home to School, (pp. 147-172). London, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. [More Information]

2016

  • Gawne, L., Wigglesworth, G., Morales, G., Poetsch, S., Dixon, S. (2016). Australia - Making the ESL classroom visible: indigenous Australian children's early education. In Victoria A Murphy and Maria Evangelou (Eds.), Early childhood education in English for speakers of other languages, (pp. 111-136). London: British Council.

2014

  • Poetsch, S. (2014). Why Aboriginal languages teaching sometimes works: a view from New South Wales. Practices and Policies: Current Research in Languages and Cultures Education. Selected Proceedings of the Second National LCNAU Colloquium (2013), Canberra: LCNAU (Languages & Cultures Network for Australian Universities).

2013

  • Poetsch, S. (2013). Communities, linguists and strengthening Indigenous languages in Australia. Studi Italiani Di Linguistica Teorica E Applicata, 42(2), 271-293.
  • Hobson, J., Poetsch, S. (2013), Patyegarang (Indigenous Australian languages education website). [More Information]

2011

  • Poetsch, S. (2011). Languages on the national scene: Indigenous languages. Languages Victoria, 15(1), 43-46.

2010

  • McNaboe, D., Poetsch, S. (2010). Language revitalisation: Community and school programs working together. In John Hobson, Kevin Lowe, Susan Poetsch and Michael Walsh (Eds.), Re-awakening languages: Theory and practice in the revitalisation of Australias Indigenous languages, (pp. 216-224). Sydney: Sydney University Press.
  • Hobson, J., Lowe, K., Poetsch, S., Walsh, M. (2010). Re-awakening languages: Theory and practice in the revitalisation of Australias Indigenous languages. Sydney: Sydney University Press. [More Information]
  • Poetsch, S. (2010), Revitalising Aboriginal Languages in NSW. Contributions from School Programs (Paper presented at 'Bridging the Gap Through the Contributions of Education and Social Work symposium', Faculty of Education and Social Work and the Koori Centre, University of Sydney, 27 August).

2009

  • Poetsch, S. (2009). Aboriginal and Indigenous perspectives and content across the curriculum. Aboriginal Studies Association Conference, Koori Centre, University of Sydney.
  • Hobson, J., Poetsch, S. (2009). Aboriginal languages syllabus implementation and teacher training. Aboriginal Studies Association Conference, Koori Centre, University of Sydney.
  • Lowe, K., Poetsch, S. (2009). Fostering revitalisation through teaching and learning small languages in schools in NSW. 1st International Conference on Language Documentation and Conservation (ICLDC) 2009: Supporting Small Languages Together, Manoa, Hawaii: University of Hawaii.
  • Poetsch, S. (2009). School-community partnerships for Aboriginal languages programs in NSW. Australian Federation of Modern Languages Teachers’ Associations, 17th Biennial Conference, Dialogue, Discourse, Diversity, 2009.

2008

  • Poetsch, S. (2008). Promoting reconciliation through teaching and learning Aboriginal languages. 4Rs conference: Rights Reconciliation Respect Responsibility.
  • McNaboe, D., Poetsch, S. (2008). Revitalising Aboriginal languages through school programs in NSW. World Indigenous People’s Conference – Education, 2008.
  • Poetsch, S. (2008). Working to revive language in a school setting. Bayala Ngarala, the Indigenous Languages Institute of Lingfest 2008.

2007

  • Munro, J., Poetsch, S. (2007). It just takes one interested person: The ripple effect of enhancing community capacity in language revival activities in NSW. Inaugural Indigenous Languages Conference (ILC), South Australia: School of Humanities University of Adelaide.
  • Rhydwen, M., Parolin, E., Munro, J., Poetsch, S. (2007). Report on School-based Aboriginal Language Program Activity in NSW During 2006.
  • Poetsch, S. (2007). The ripple effect of enhancing community capacity in language revival activities in NSW [Panel discussion]. Inaugural Indigenous Languages Conference (ILC), South Australia: School of Humanities University of Adelaide.

2006

  • Poetsch, S. (2006). Feasibility Study for a NSW Aboriginal Languages Development Institute. Revitalising Aboriginal Languages in NSW. A review of key documents and current initiatives.

2004

  • Corris, M., Manning, C., Poetsch, S., Simpson, J. (2004). How Useful And Usable Are Dictionaries For Speakers Of Australian Indigenous Languages? International Journal of Lexicography, 17(1), 33-68. [More Information]

2002

  • Simpson, J., Corris, M., Manning, C., Poetsch, S. (2002). Dictionaries and Endangered Languages. In David Bradley and Maya Bradley (Eds.), Language Endangerment and Language Maintenance, (pp. 329-347). London: Routledge Curzon imprint of Taylor & Francis.
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