Languages- Auslan

 Communicating with the Specialist Team

We look forward to partnering with you in 2025, 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 Three 2025

Our Term Three focus is 'Food'

The Auslan Leaders helped create our current display in the hallway.

We have one of our Auslan clocks up in the room!

Foundation

Our Foundation students have been refining and building on their food vocabulary whilst we continue to learn more signs for food words that they have experienced.  During brain food and lunch time, we have been sharing what we have in our lunch boxes and practising the signs for food that we eat. This past week, we also learnt the signs for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Students had a giggle when we discussed that the sign for 'sister' is very similar to 'dinner'. This enabled us to discuss the features of Auslan, that every sign has a set handshape, orientation, location, movement and possibly expressions. If they signed 'dinner' on their nose, they were actually communicating that they wanted to eat their 'sister'! As they move up in year levels, they will explore this important topic in more detail,                                                                 and it is a part of most Auslan lessons.

Year One and Year Two

The Year One and Two classes have been working on a range of food related activities that have enabled them to practise food signs. These have included learning the signs for meal times, discussing what foods they eat within their family and sharing experiences about cultural traditions. The students have also participated in discussions that have extended their understanding about Deaf culture during meal times, such as what is important to Deaf people when they eat together at a cafe, restaurant or home environment. 

The students actively enquire about different signs for familiar foods that they eat in their household such as dragon and star fruit. 

Year One in class.

                                                                 Year Two in class.                                                             

Year Three and Four

The Year Three and Four students have been working on completing their imaginative creations. Their menus and logos have come together to create identifiable cafes for students to use their langauge skills in ordering different foods. We have been exploring the differences between English and signed sentences around politely ordering different foods and drinks.  There have been videos for the students to learn from a Deaf Chef - DeafChefRoss - on making crepes. Seeing a native signer provides a wealth of learning about the components of Auslan, Handshape, Orientation, Location, Movement and Non-Manual Features (HOLM+NMF).

Year Five and Six

The Year Five and Six students have also been making a menu for a cafe of their choice. They have been working well in small groups to create an identifiable logo with choice menu items. It is always fantastic to see a range of ideas come together from a simple starting point. The students have chosen from sushi, bakery and charcoal chicken menus and built a strong understanding of the ordering system in Auslan. The students will start to set up their cafes this coming week and order food from each other. This project is designed to showcase the students understanding of conversations in Auslan. By ordering food from a classmate, they have to utilise their skills around gaining attention, using eye-contact and responding to requests in a Deaf appropriate manner. 

WRAP UP!

It has been a great term focusing on all things food related. We look forward to Term Four when we jump into our Sports unit as we head towards the Deaflympics in Tokyo in November!