Introduction to Auslan

Year Level

Year 6 (South Australia)

Duration

45 minutes

Class Size

25 students

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Learning Objectives

Aligned with the South Australian Curriculum for Languages - Auslan subject (Years 5 and 6):

• Understand that Auslan is a unique language with its own structures and cultural significance within the Deaf community (AC9L1AU4U04).
• Recognise the importance of visual communication in Auslan, including facial expressions and body language (non-manual features - NMFs) (AC9L1AU6C04).
• Learn and use basic Auslan signs to greet, introduce themselves, and express simple concepts (AC9L2AU6C03).
• Develop an awareness of Deaf culture, including respectful behaviours and social norms such as eye contact and the ‘Deaf way’ of communication (AC9L1AU4U04).
• Begin to use Auslan’s unique grammar and structure features in simple signed interactions (AC9L2AU6U03).

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Curriculum References

• AC9L1AU4U04: Identify connections between Auslan, cultural practices and identity
• AC9L2AU6C03: Locate and process information and ideas in a range of signed, visual and multimodal texts
• AC9L1AU6C04: Apply strategies to interpret and convey meaning in signed and visual cultural contexts
• AC9L2AU6U03: Compare some Auslan structures and features with those of English, using some familiar metalanguage

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Lesson Overview

This introductory lesson invites students to explore Auslan as both a language and a cultural practice. They will experience the power of visual communication through Auslan, learn a small set of basic signs, and gain insight into Deaf culture and its values. The lesson is designed to be interactive and inclusive, encouraging all students to participate confidently.

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Materials Required

• Visual flashcards of basic Auslan signs (greetings, names, feelings)
• Short video clip introducing Auslan and Deaf culture (silent visual communication focus)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Hand mirrors for students (to observe their facial expressions/NMFs)
• Printed props or name tags for role-play

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Lesson Plan

Time	Activity	Description	Outcomes Assessed
0–5 mins	Engagement & Introduction	- Teacher asks: "What do you know about Auslan?" Discuss briefly.

• Show a brief video clip silently portraying Auslan communication and Deaf culture. | Engage curiosity and set context. Students identify Auslan as a language. | Listening and observing skills linked to AC9L1AU6C04 | | 5–15 mins | What is Auslan? | - Teacher explains Auslan is a visual language used by the Deaf community across Australia.
• Discuss the importance of eye contact, facial expressions (NMFs), and body movement.
• Compare briefly with spoken English language features. | Students recognise language and cultural differences and visual communication importance (AC9L1AU4U04, AC9L2AU6U03). | Understanding cultural & language features | | 15–30 mins | Basic Auslan signs - Learn and Practice | - Introduce 6–8 basic signs: hello, goodbye, thank you, please, yes, no, hungry, and name. Use flashcards and model signs.
• Students practice signs in pairs, observing each other's facial expressions using mirrors to match NMFs.
• Emphasise the use of space, hand shape, and facial expression. | Students demonstrate ability to reproduce basic signs and use NMFs appropriately (AC9L2AU6C03). Develop confidence using Auslan expressively. | Signing and non-manual features demonstration | | 30–40 mins | Cultural Context and Role-Play | - Discuss Deaf culture values such as inclusion, communication respect, and the ‘Deaf way’ (e.g., ‘long goodbyes’, storytelling tradition).
• Role-play simple greeting scenarios in Auslan with peers, using learned signs and respectful behaviour (eye contact, turn-taking). | Apply cultural understanding in signed interactions, practising communicative competence respectfully (AC9L1AU4U04). | Expressing identity and cultural connection | | 40–45 mins | Reflection and Closure | - Group discussion: How does learning Auslan help us understand Deaf culture?
• Reflect on the significance of visual communication.
• Set a challenge: Learn 2 signs at home before next lesson and find out one fact about Deaf culture. | Students reflect on cultural learning and language awareness. | Metacognitive reflection on learning |

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Assessment Strategies

• Observation of students’ ability to perform basic signs with correct form and NMFs during paired practice.
• Informal questioning to gauge understanding of Auslan’s role and Deaf cultural values.
• Reflection shared verbally during closing discussion to assess engagement and depth of cultural understanding.

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Differentiation

• Provide visual aids and step-by-step modelling for students requiring additional support.
• Challenge advanced learners to fingerspell their own names or create simple questions using ‘yes/no’ format.
• Use peer support for practice and feedback.

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Extension Ideas

• Invite a Deaf community member or Auslan tutor to demonstrate authentic signing and answer questions.
• Create a class “Auslan wall” with learnt signs and cultural notes for ongoing reference.
• Explore the role of Auslan in media and technology (e.g., interpreting apps).

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Teacher Notes

• Emphasise the cultural respect needed when learning and using Auslan.
• Maintain clear sightlines and lighting to support visual learning.
• Reinforce the importance of non-verbal communication elements — facial expression, eye contact, body language — as core to Auslan meaning.

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This lesson plan combines cultural engagement with language acquisition, focusing on the significance of Auslan as a vibrant, living language. Students will develop foundational signing skills while building empathy and understanding for the Deaf community, in line with South Australian Curriculum expectations for Languages – Auslan.