Languages- Auslan

Communicating with the Specialist Team

We look forward to partnering with you in 2024, and welcome your input:

Amanda Oakley (Languages- Auslan) Amanda.Oakley2@education.vic.gov.au

Shar Stjerne (Languages- Auslan) Shar.Stjerne@education.vic.gov.au

 Term Two

This term our learning focus has been on 'places'. 

The students across all year levels have been building their sign vocabulary about different places, with the junior and senior students having a focus on varying aspects. Some of this learning has centred around maps, farms, school, playground, home and the actions and/or directional language that we use when communicating in Auslan about these places.

We are looking forward to new learning in Term Three around the topic of Sports and Hobbies.

Foundation

Places

It has been a busy past three weeks with our focus being on 'Places'. These places included the farm, school, home and playground and learning the signs related to these places.

The students eagerly participated in learning the animal signs with farm animal figurines, games and making their own farms in their Auslan books.

All students used the sign 'I see' when referring to their pictures, as they described what they had included on their page.

A couple of weeks ago when it was wet, we brought an obstacle course inside. We set up various stations to sign the vocabulary; play, eat, sleep and learn, in addition to the signs for school, home, and park/playground.

The students are continually revisiting signs learnt in past weeks that we add to our revision during eating times. We play 'eye spy', ask "what's in your lunchbox", point to colours around the room and practise the alphabet and counting to name a few.

Year One 

Places

The Year One students have been busy creating farms of their own in their Auslan books as well as using pictures to describe the actions that they do in various places. Games involving the farm animal figurines were a favourite, and gave us all a laugh as we took turns around the circle. Circle games are assisting the students to remain focused on the signer and require respectful listening with not only our ears and body but also our eyes. We often 'turn our voices off' and students need to concentrate and receive information through watching others. Eye contact and body language that demonstrates engagement is a vital part of communicating in Auslan.

Year Two

The Year Two students have taken a step up with their visual receptive language skills. Over the past few weeks, we have been watching various Auslan stories online without narration or an interpreter on the screen. These have included The Three Little Pigs and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. As the students are already familiar with these stories, they have been able to make quick connections with the signs used and how the movement of signs, body language and facial expression can express so much more than a word. 

Students spent time drawing the stories  in their books and then together as a group, many took turns in explaining and sharing their work through sign language. This has been such a delight to witness as the students are bringing past knowledge to their work. They have beendemonstrating, that in only 18 months of learning Auslan, how far they have come. They should all be very proud of what they have achieved and I am excited about their learning continuing over the coming years.

Year Three and Four

The Three/Four classes have continued to expand on their farm vocabulary in whole class activities and small group games. We have also been continuing to learn our signed Acknowledgement of Country. The students are improving each week and have been putting in a lot of effort to get it correct.

Well done to everyone on the effort you have put in to your learning.

Year Five and Six

The Five-Six students have been building their farm vocabulary along with their own lego farms in small groups games and activities. Signing directions and relaying their drawn maps of a farm to a partner has seen big improvements in students describing spaces to each other. It is great to see the students putting their learning into practice. 

Well done to every student.