Languages- Auslan

Communicating with the Specialist Team

We look forward to partnering with you in 2023, and welcome your input:

Amanda Oakley (Languages- Auslan) Amanda.Oakley2@education.vic.gov.au

Hello, Upwey South Primary Community! As many of you are aware, Auslan lessons have started this year for the Foundation and Year One students. Auslan stands for Australian Sign Language and is a way of communication for many people in the community; both Deaf, hard of hearing and for hearing people who have friends and family members who use sign language. Auslan is made up of fingerspelling, handshapes, movements and facial expressions. It is a beautifully expressive language.

The students have been learning about greetings, creating short phrases and the signs for family members. I’ve been so excited to have students approach me in the yard or passageway to greet me and ask me how I am, in sign language of course!

Over the year we will be exploring topics such as Numbers, Pets, Alphabet, Colours, Family, Weather, Animals, Places, Times of the day, Meals/food items and many more. Please ask your child about the signs they are learning, as repetition is the best way to use and remember new signs. 

In addition to the younger grades learning Auslan, our school ‘Talk Moves’ signs will be slightly adjusted to reflect Auslan signs. Therefore, you will see some new displays coming soon to the entry foyer, level areas, and students across all year levels using them.

For those who like a bit of history, Auslan was introduced to Australia by British and Scottish immigrants when they came to Australia in the 1800s and has therefore evolved from British Sign Language. There are different variations of sign language all around the world, as there are with spoken languages, as each country and community has their own culture and language to express. Over the year, we will also learn about the history and culture of the Deaf community, as this knowledge is as important as the language itself.  

Thank you for the warm welcome I have already received from many students and parents in the yard, and I look forward to meeting more school community members during the year.