Auslan
From Caen & Simone, Auslan teachers
Hello from the Auslan team!
This year sees the exciting return of Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as a specialist subject at NMPS, moving from the previous year's online videos to in-person lessons with a dedicated teacher. This is a significant moment in the school's commitment to fostering inclusive learning and understanding. Throughout the year, students will explore key areas of Auslan, including finger-spelling the alphabet, signing numbers, colours, everyday signs, feelings, and animals. They will also deepen their understanding of Deaf culture, that the language and community are intertwined.
The lessons at NMPS feature a blend of explicit teaching through videos and interactive activities. Students engage in group practice, games, songs, stories, and poems to reinforce their learning. This multi-faceted approach ensures that all students can grasp the complexities of Auslan while enjoying the process. The school’s immersive methods not only introduce language skills but also encourage students to appreciate the significance of Auslan in fostering inclusivity.
The benefits of learning Auslan are profound. With over 3.6 million Australians living with hearing loss, many of whom rely on Auslan for communication, it’s crucial that our greater community/society learn the language. By doing so, students at NMPS are helping to create a more inclusive society. Learning Auslan also supports cognitive development, including improved mental flexibility and memory retention, as it engages different neural pathways than spoken language.
Moreover, Auslan provides students the opportunity to connect with the Deaf community. It opens doors to social interaction and promotes a sense of belonging, not just for those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, but for everyone involved in learning the language. As more people learn Auslan, society becomes more accessible and welcoming to all, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
We hope you’ve all had a fantastic start to the year! Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve had some exciting moments in the Auslan classroom, and we’re thrilled to share them with you.
Open Classrooms – A Wonderful Start!
Recently, we had the opportunity to welcome parents into our classrooms. It was fantastic to meet so many of you, answer your questions, and showcase what our students have been learning. Thank you for taking the time to visit—we’re excited to have such a supportive community as we embark on another great year of Auslan learning!
What We’ve Been Learning?
In the past two weeks, our focus has been on fingerspelling and colours.
- Fingerspelling is an essential skill in Auslan, helping students spell out names, new words, and communicate when a sign is unknown. Regular practice builds confidence and fluency, making it an important foundation for signing.
- Colours have been a fun and engaging topic! We’ve explored different signs for colours through interactive activities designed to reinforce learning in a dynamic way. One of the class favourites was Colour Tag, a high-energy game that made learning both fun and memorable!
We’re looking forward to an exciting year ahead, full of learning, creativity, and new connections. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, thank you for your support in fostering Auslan in our school community!
