Auslan
From Caen & Simone, Auslan Teachers
Handshape, Orientation, Location, and Movement
We are wrapping up a fantastic term of Auslan learning, we are so proud of the progress our students have made! It has been a joy to see them grow in confidence and ability, using their expanding Auslan vocabulary to sign simple sentences and hold conversations with each other.
Over the past two weeks, we have focused on two key topics: Describing Animals and Numbers. These lessons have allowed students to put their skills into practice through interactive and engaging activities.
Describing Animals
One of the highlights of this topic was incorporating role-play activities to help students use descriptive signs effectively. By acting out different animals, students were able to explore how to combine signs, NMF (Non-Manual Features), and HOLM (Handshape, Orientation, Location, and Movement) to create more meaningful and expressive signing.
For example, instead of just signing “dog,” students practiced adding descriptive elements such as big dog, small dog, fluffy dog, or brown dog, allowing them to create more detailed sentences. These activities helped reinforce Auslan grammar and encouraged students to think critically about how signs are structured in conversation.
Numbers
In our Numbers unit, students revisited and consolidated their learning of number signs in fun and interactive ways. Using games, challenges, and counting activities, students practiced number recognition, signing numbers fluently, and using numbers in full sentences.
Some of the activities included:
Counting & Sorting Challenges – Using real-life scenarios, students practiced signing numbers while grouping and counting objects.
Number Storytelling – Students created short stories using number signs to describe how many objects or animals they saw, reinforcing their ability to use numbers in meaningful ways.
Exciting News – Auslan Incursion!
A highlight of the past fortnight was a special Auslan incursion at Molesworth Street! We were lucky to have Auslan Education Services visit to provide a short but engaging lesson for our Prep, Year 1, and Year 2 students.
The students were captivated as they watched a real-life interaction between a Deaf person and their interpreter. This experience helped them see the importance of signing in everyday life and gave them a new appreciation for how Auslan is used in real-world settings.
During the session, students learned new signs, asked questions, and participated in interactive activities designed to reinforce their understanding of Auslan. The excitement and enthusiasm were evident, and many students left the session eager to practice their new signs with their classmates and families.
This term has been filled with growth, learning, and fun. Our students have made incredible progress, and we are so proud of their dedication and enthusiasm. From learning basic conversations to describing animals, using numbers, and incorporating key Auslan grammar elements, they have taken huge strides in their signing skills.
We encourage families to support their child’s learning at home by practicing some of the signs they’ve learned this term. Even simple activities like fingerspelling names, counting objects, or signing about pets or favourite animals can help reinforce their skills!
Thank you for your ongoing support in fostering Auslan learning and inclusivity in our school community. We look forward to another exciting term ahead!