Languages

Auslan aims to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to enable students to:

  • communicate in Auslan and understand the language,
  • understand Deaf Culture and learning and their relationship, and thereby develop an intercultural capability in communication,
  • understand themselves as communicators and
  • develop a knowledge and an understanding of the diversity of Deaf experience and the nature of identity.

Students use the language for communicating, practising language forms, developing cultural knowledge and intercultural exchange. They also use well known phrases in Auslan to participate in classroom routines, presentations and structured conversations with their teacher and their peers. They build vocabulary for thinking and talking about school and personal topics. They gradually build a vocabulary.

The Auslan classroom and interactions with deaf peers or adults in their school or local environment are the primary contexts for language and cultural experiences – including Deaf Week. Students also have some access to the wider Deaf community and to various resources through virtual and digital technology. The familiarity and routine dimension of the classroom context provide scaffolding and opportunities for language practice and experimentation. Language development and use are incorporated into structured collaborative and interactive learning experiences, games and activities.