The language teaching resource Mayalambala is now available in digital format, thanks to a collaboration between Muurrbay and Cat Kutay from Sydney Aboriginal Languages and Computing.
Mayalambala is a unique and engaging teaching tool designed to support the learning of Aboriginal languages. It includes three themed background posters — In the Bush, At the Beach, and At Home — along with over two hundred movable images of people and objects. The User’s Guide for Gumbaynggirr offers a suggested progression to gradually build vocabulary and grammar, which can also be adapted for other languages.
Inspired by Asher’s Total Physical Response method, this resource emphasizes comprehension through physical responses to commands before expecting verbal replies. Several Gumbaynggirr language teachers have found success with this approach, so we created posters and images suitable for Aboriginal languages of coastal NSW and beyond.
Teachers are now using Mayalambala on electronic whiteboards, enabling students to interact by moving the images across the different backgrounds.
We welcome your ideas and suggestions—please feel free to get in touch.
The images are available for download in small, medium, and large sizes within zip folders via the links below:
- Large sized images please click here
- Medium sized images please click here
- Small sized images please click here