We are delighted to introduce Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as a new subject this year.
Students in Prep, Grade 1, and Grade 2 have eagerly begun exploring the language of the Australian Deaf community.
Our learning started with the question: “What is Auslan?” We discussed that it is a visual language used by many Deaf and hard-of-hearing people across Australia. To aid understanding, we watched short informative videos about deafness and communication, which led to thoughtful discussions about inclusion, awareness, and different communication methods.
Students practiced important conversation skills through our “Hello Song,” signing greetings like Hello, How are you?, and responses such as I am well, tired, and hungry.
A key focus has been on colours. Students learned to sign various colours and enjoyed singing and signing to “I Can Sing a Rainbow.” Activities like Colour Jenga, scavenger hunts, and coloring worksheets helped reinforce these vocabulary words while providing fun.
Finger spelling was also introduced, with students learning to spell their names using laminated name cards. As a closing activity, they proudly signed the initial letter of their name in Auslan.
It has been inspiring to see students confidently using their hands, faces, and bodies to communicate. We look forward to further developing our Auslan skills throughout the year and celebrating our achievements. this rich and expressive language together.
