The Northern Territory university has taken on the mammoth task of preserving languages to ensure they are passed on to the next generation.

It is the only university in Australia offering the language studies in Yolu Matha from East Arnhem Land, Arrernte from Central Australia and Bininj Kunwok from West Arnhem Land.

In Katherine, the Ngukurr Language Centre currently runs weekend courses in Kriol language awareness, as well.

Yolu Studies Lecturer, Gawura Waambi, works closely with teachers and students to provide guidance, cultural authority and language education.

Mr Waambi, a Marrau man, said many different languages continued to be spoken by tribes across East Arnhem Land, as well as the more widely known form of common Yolu language taught in CDU's Yolu Studies program.

He said it was important to remember that every clan has its own language, which is central to identity, communication and culture.

In the late 1800's, around 250 distinct Indigenous language were spoken across Australia.

Today only around 120 of those languages are still spoken and many are at risk of being lost as Elders pass on.

"My language describes who I am and allows me to communicate with all the other tribes around the East Arnhem Land region," Mr Waambi said.

"Our language was given to us by our ancestral beings; it is a part of who we are and our identity. We are very strong in our language and we don't want to lose our language."

Indigenous Futures, Arts and Society College Dean Ruth Wallace said learning an Indigenous language is not just about communication, but also about identity, culture, kinship, land and law.

"CDU recognises the value of Indigenous knowledge and ensuring its place in academic life across a range of disciplines," she said.

"As the university of the Northern Territory, we are proud to be leading the way with the number of Indigenous language courses on offer, as well courses designed for Indigenous people who are wanting to study and research their own language."

While the Yolu Studies program has been offered to students at CDU for more than 25 years, Arrernte had recently relaunched and Bininj Kunwok would be offered for the second time after starting last year.

"Where it is not possible to teach the language on country, CDU has expert people with appropriate authority to teach either online or in classrooms," Ms Wallace said.

"This creates useful and important collaborations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, engaging with different knowledge practices and leading to deeper understanding."

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