Exploring Auslan Culture

Year Levels: 3 & 4

Subject: Languages – Auslan

Duration: 60 minutes

Class Size: 25 students

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Australian Curriculum Alignment

Content Descriptor: AC9L1AU4U04
Identify connections between Auslan, cultural practices and identity

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Identify connections between Auslan and Deaf cultural identity, including distinctive behaviours in the Deaf community (AC9L1AU4U04).
• Explore the positive effects of learning Auslan on self-expression and community belonging (AC9L1AU4U04_E1).
• Recognise Deaf community behaviours, roles, responsibilities, and social etiquette such as "the Deaf way" (AC9L1AU4U04_E2, AC9L1AU4U04_E3).
• Understand and connect First Nations Australians' cultural expressions to Auslan and Deaf culture (AC9L1AU4U04_E4, AC9L1AU4U04_E5).
• Develop a timeline of significant Auslan milestones highlighting Deaf community history (AC9L1AU4U04_E10).
• Create informative posters to communicate key aspects of Deaf culture and Auslan language (AC9L1AU4U04).

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Resources

• Short curated videos demonstrating Auslan in everyday use and Deaf community interactions.
• Posters of Deaf cultural symbols and Auslan signs.
• Interactive flashcards of Auslan signs related to Deaf culture and First Nations cultural concepts.
• Large paper, markers, and craft supplies for poster-making activities.
• Timeline templates for illustrating Auslan major historical milestones.

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-up & Introduction (10 minutes)

• Begin with a brief whole-class discussion:
  • "What do you know about Auslan and Deaf culture?"
  • Show a short engaging video (2-3 mins) introducing Deaf culture and Auslan as a visual language.
• Introduce key Deaf community behaviours: for example, "the long goodbye," storytelling style, facial expressions, direct communication. Explain these are part of "the Deaf way."
• Explain the importance of Auslan as a language connected to Deaf identity and culture.

2. Exploring Deaf Culture and Auslan (15 minutes)

• Show a short video showcasing Deaf community social behaviours and Auslan use.
• Using poster visuals, highlight cultural values and key Deaf community roles and responsibilities. Point out variations in signs across Australia and age groups.
• Pair students to try basic greetings or expressions in Auslan demonstrated by the teacher or video.

3. First Nations Australian Cultural Expressions & Auslan Connections (10 minutes)

• Present posters that depict First Nations Australian languages and cultural expressions that use gestures or signs.
• Discuss and compare how both Auslan users and First Nations peoples use space, gestures, and signs to express identity and connection to Country or community.
• Invite students to share simple examples of cultural expressions from their own or known First Nations communities (age-appropriate and respectful).

4. Timeline Activity: Auslan Milestones (15 minutes)

• Hand out timeline templates and briefly explain key milestones:
  • Introduction of Auslan in Deaf schools
  • Publication of the Auslan dictionary
  • National Week of Deaf People
• Students work in small groups to sequence these events on their timeline sheets using visuals and short explanations.
• Discuss how these milestones show the growth and recognition of Auslan and Deaf culture.

5. Poster Creation & Sharing (10 minutes)

• Each student creates a simple poster highlighting one aspect of Deaf culture or Auslan that they found interesting. This could include cultural behaviours, Auslan signs, milestones, or First Nations connections.
• Encourage use of drawings, signs, and simple Auslan glosses (where possible).

6. Closing and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Brief class sharing of posters — students explain their posters using a few signed words or phrases where possible.
• Summarise learning: "Today we saw how Auslan is part of who Deaf people are—it's not just a language but part of a community and culture."
• Set a reflective question for students to think about: “How can learning another language help us understand different cultures?”

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through observation during pair and group activities: use of Auslan greetings and understanding of Deaf cultural behaviours.
• Evaluation of the timeline activity to check comprehension of key Auslan milestones and Deaf cultural history.
• Assessment of student posters for ability to communicate informative aspects about Deaf culture and Auslan connections, including cultural practices and identity.

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Extension Ideas

• Invite a Deaf community member or Auslan interpreter (in person or via video call) to share about Deaf culture and Auslan storytelling.
• Start a class Auslan sign journal/log to record new signs related to cultural practices and community identity over time.

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Curriculum References

• Australian Curriculum: Languages (Auslan), Years 3 & 4
• Content Descriptor: AC9L1AU4U04 – Identify connections between Auslan, cultural practices and identity.
• Elaborations: AC9L1AU4U04_E1 to AC9L1AU4U04_E11, with particular focus on exploring Deaf community behaviours, Auslan milestones, and First Nations Australian cultural expressions.

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This plan aims to create an immersive, interactive experience that respects both the age-appropriateness and cultural significance of the content, empowering Year 3 & 4 students to appreciate Deaf culture deeply through the lens of Auslan and its intersections with broader Australian Indigenous cultures.