Auslan

The dedication and enthusiasm shown by our students throughout the year in Auslan learning has been remarkable.

Our youngest learners, Prep to Year 2’s have successfully learned key signs covering a diverse range of themes, including 

• Core Vocabulary: School items, Family, Colours, Transportation, Places around the School
• Thematic Units: Farm Animals, Clothing, Amenities, Birds, Nature and Emotions
• Literacy Skills: Basic fingerspelling and signing in simple sentences.

Students in Year 3 and 4 significantly expanded their vocabulary and conversational skills. Their thematic focus included:

• Fingerspelling, School Items, Family, Colours, Transportation, Places around the School, Prepositions, Questioning, Sport, Amenities, Birds, Nature and Emotions.
• The students brought their learning to life by signing the songs ‘What a Wonderful World’ and ‘I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas’.

Our senior students engaged in advanced practical signing and in-depth theoretical study, focusing on Deaf Culture and history alongside their vocabulary acquisition. They covered all the theme signs mentioned above for Years 3 and 4, plus important topics on :

• Deaf History and Culture: Australian Deaf History, and the role of CODA (Child of Deaf Adults).
• Technology and Communication: The evolution of hearing aids and the practical use of Captiview (closed captioning device).
• Community Interaction: Learning about effective police interactions with Deaf people to foster better communication and understanding.

Fingerspelling different words both receptively and expressively has been a huge success this year overall for all the classes. We are incredibly proud of all our students and look forward to continuing their Auslan journey next year! Have a lovely Christmas and may God bless you all!

Di Herrman

Auslan teacher