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 will be on Sports and Hobbies. 

With the commencement of the Paris Olympic Games last Friday, the students have been investigating signs related to sports. These have included action words, the different types of sports, logos and images that relate to both the Olympics and the Deaf Olympic Games. Students have had many conversations about inclusive sports, equality in sports, barriers that Deaf sportspeople may face such as inequity of funding, sponsors, and sporting opportunities growing up.

Foundation to Year Two

Animals, Sports and Hobbies.

The term kicked off with a quick review of wild animals for Year One and Year Two students and an introduction of wild animal signs for the Foundation students.

We played charades prior to learning the correct animal sign to demonstrate that Auslan is a visual language and in addition to 'plain' signs, we can show  the size, weight, features and emotions of objects, people and animals and the speed and style of movement of an object, through our body movements and facial expressions. 

Year 2 students reviewed animal signs whilst incorporating the sign 'favourite' and 'I see' in a phrase. After reading 'A Visit to the Zoo', by Kerry Taylor and Jen Blyth, the students created a picture as a prompt for their sign phrase. They also worked in small groups with 'voices off' to complete zoo puzzles, using colour and animal signs to place correct pieces together.

Sport!

We have had a fun start to the term with incorporating sports and sporting action signs to work alongside the excitement of the Olympic games. The students have been able to practise the signs from last term such as 'like', 'don't like', and 'play' and incorporate these into their sign phrases. The students have been developing their confidence and sharing information in sign language with the class, by presenting their work either in a circle or at the front of the class. They have been doing an amazing job!

The Year Two students have been contributing to the Auslan display area in the corridor outside the Auslan room. Drawing sports to match some of the signs that we have been learning.

Year One students have been sharing information with each other about sports they play or like, in addition to revision games such as sports bingo. 

The junior students have been watching short videos about Deaf sports and enjoyed an Auslan interpreted story about playing sports. The link is attached below.

Year Three and Four

The Three Four classes have started the term off strong with a focus on sports, colours and the Olympics and Deaflympics. Lots of Action in the classes as they show each other how they "cycle" up a hill or "run" in a race. Using their whole bodies to show what is happening in the stories they are imagining. They  have also engage in some review of colours with a focus on the Olympic rings and lots of short videos showing how Deaf sports are adjusted to support Deaf sportspeople in their chosen sports.

Year Five and Six

The Five-Six students have been learning about the different types of world sports events. The Olympics, The Para Olympics, and The Deaflympics. Watching videos about Deaf athletes, adjustments that support Deaf sportspeople. This has sparked some excellent discussions around the needs of Deaf athletes, how they are able to participate with supports and what makes the Deaflympics such an important event, not only for the Deaf community but also the wider mainstream community. They have begun creating our display board outside the room with a task focused on colours. This will continue to expand over the term to include the Deaflympics and International Committee of Sports for the Deaf.