Communicating with Auslan

Year Level

Years 3-4

Duration

45 minutes

Class Size

25 students

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Learning Area

Languages – Auslan (Australian Sign Language)

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Australian Curriculum Links

• AC9L1AU4C05: Create and present informative and imaginative signed, visual and multimodal texts, using fingerspelling, lexical signs and non-manual features
• AC9L2AU4C04: Develop strategies to comprehend and adjust Auslan in familiar contexts to convey cultural meaning
• AC9L2AU4U04: Identify connections between Auslan, cultural practices and identity, including reflecting on communication differences and the importance of Auslan

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Understand the challenges a deaf person might face if they are the only deaf individual in a social setting.
2. Recognise the importance of Auslan as a key language for communication within the Deaf community.
3. Demonstrate basic respectful communication strategies using Auslan signs, including appropriate social interaction norms such as eye contact and facial expressions.
4. Reflect on how learning Auslan supports inclusion and understanding in diverse social environments.

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Resources

• Visual aids of common Auslan signs (greetings, names, emotions)
• Videos demonstrating Deaf social interactions and Auslan use
• Flashcards with Auslan signs and English translations
• Whiteboard and markers
• Paper and coloured pencils for drawing feelings or experiences

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Lesson Outline

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief discussion:
  • Ask students, "How would you feel if you could not hear anything around you?"
  • Introduce the idea of Deaf people using Auslan to communicate.
  • Explain that today’s lesson is about understanding the Deaf experience and the importance of learning Auslan.
• Show a short video clip demonstrating a Deaf child communicating with peers and adults in Auslan.

Activity 1: Imagine Being the Only Deaf Person (10 minutes)

• Present a simple scenario:
  • "Imagine you are the only deaf person in a noisy playground or class where no one knows Auslan."
• Partner discussion: Students share how this might make them feel.
• Gather some responses, highlighting feelings of isolation or frustration.
• Introduce basic respectful gestures used by Deaf people: eye contact, facial expression, visual attention.

Activity 2: Learning Key Auslan Signs (15 minutes)

• Teach key Auslan signs related to social interaction:
  • Greetings: HELLO, PLEASE, THANK YOU
  • Feelings: HAPPY, SAD, ANGRY, FRIEND
  • Basic phrases: "Can you help me?" and "I don’t understand."
• Use flashcards and visual demonstrations.
• Pair work: Students practice signing these words and phrases to each other.
• Include non-manual features (facial expressions) to convey meaning, emphasizing their importance in Auslan.

Activity 3: Connecting Communication and Inclusion (10 minutes)

• Group discussion: Why is it important that more people learn Auslan?
• Introduce cultural values of the Deaf community such as:
  • Eye contact is essential.
  • Storytelling and humour in Auslan.
• Explain how learning Auslan helps others be inclusive and make social spaces welcoming.
• Students brainstorm examples of how they can help Deaf classmates or friends feel included.

Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Have students draw or write one thing they learned about Deaf people and Auslan.
• Share reflections as a class.
• End with a group signing of “THANK YOU” and “GOODBYE” in Auslan.

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Assessment

• Informal assessment through observation of student participation during signing practice and discussions.
• Evaluate students' ability to use Auslan signs with appropriate facial expressions.
• Review students' reflective drawings or written statements to check understanding of the social challenges faced by Deaf people and the importance of learning Auslan.

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Additional Notes for Teachers

• Encourage clear visibility for signing; ensure students maintain eye contact.
• Reinforce the social etiquette norms of Auslan, such as waiting for attention before signing.
• Use this lesson to promote empathy and respect for cultural and linguistic diversity within the classroom.
• Consider follow-up lessons involving storytelling or interaction with Deaf community members or Auslan tutors for deeper cultural immersion.

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This lesson plan builds on the Australian Curriculum for Languages focusing on Auslan for Years 3-4, specifically addressing communication, cultural identity, and social inclusion as outlined in AC9L1AU4C05, AC9L2AU4C04, and AC9L2AU4U04, thereby meeting key curriculum outcomes in creating, comprehending, and reflecting on Auslan and Deaf culture .