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• VCASFC077

  Prepare and present researched information on a range of issues, considering the context in which the information will be received

  Elaborations

  • presenting a sustained signed explanation on a given topic, using information selected from a range of sources to suit the intended audience
  • using evidence selected from independent research sources and evaluative or persuasive language to respond to arguments about issues such as eugenics, deaf technology or interpreter ethics
  • presenting information on current affairs or news items, identifying bias and the effect of context on the shaping of texts
  • arguing a predetermined, evidence-based position in a panel discussion/debate on controversial questions, for example, the inclusion of deaf members of a jury
  • designing the presentation of an Auslan text for a vlog that requires voice interpreting with notes to indicate emphasis and to clarify meaning
  • providing explanations of abstract or technical concepts, such as poverty or radiation from uranium, shaping the style of the presentation to suit the intended audience, for example through significant use of depicting signs
  • presenting an interpretation of graphs and statistics that provide information relating to the Deaf community, discussing findings and making predictions about future changes or patterns

  VCASFC077 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Communicating | Informing

• VCASFU215

  Investigate and compare the nature and status of Auslan and other signed languages, considering issues such as language and education policies, language rights, representation and processes of language preservation and language building

  Elaborations

  • identifying historical events, government policies and educational initiatives that have impacted on the status of Auslan and the identity of the Deaf community, such as ALLP, DDA, the mainstreaming of deaf students
  • researching the nature of International Sign, including its relationship to national signed languages and its use by deaf people
  • exploring how deaf people around the world build shared group identity, for example through gathering formally as national and international communities through activities such as Deaf film festivals, performing arts or sporting events such as Deaf Way, Australian Deaf Games, Deaflympics, and how these contribute to language building, language preservation and greater awareness of signed languages
  • analysing subjective measures of language vitality, such as societal attitudes towards Auslan or the perceived strength of the language identity group, and identifying challenges facing Auslan in terms of societal attitudes, provision of resources, access, education systems and social networks
  • analysing the status and use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander signed languages and comparing these to Auslan
  • appreciating the impact of the use of Auslan in settings such as education, health care and different workplace settings in terms of the evolution of the language and specialised terminology
  • analysing representations of deaf people and sign language in the Australian media and wider community, making comparisons with representations of other languages and cultures
  • exploring the role of the Deaf ecosystem in language and cultural maintenance
  • investigating how Auslan and Deaf culture are promoted in the wider community, for example, through the influence of organisations such as Deaf Australia, of high-profile individuals such as activists or actors and of events such as NWDP Deaf Festival, Australian Deaf Games or Deaf art exhibitions
  • considering how processes of language building and evolution may expand existing Auslan linguistic and cultural resources in the Australian community
  • investigating programs and initiatives that maintain and strengthen Auslan use, such as school language programs; bilingual education and research programs; recording, archiving and documentation of the language; and the establishment of websites and databases
  • appreciating the importance of documenting and promoting Auslan in raising community awareness of the richness and value of signed languages
  • recognising that Auslan requires maintenance, development and documentation, considering historical and contemporary circumstances which have either contributed to or impeded these processes, for example the use of technology such as ELAN for capturing and documenting the language
  • considering domains where Auslan may grow in the future, and contributing to localised Auslan signbanks on specific topics, for example, creating a bank/dictionary of signs used by deaf students and interpreters in Year 9 Science
  • researching the status and recognition of signed languages in other countries, for example, New Zealand, the USA, the UK, the Scandinavian nations, considering issues such as language rights, documentation and development efforts
  • identifying the changing status of sites of significance in different international Deaf communities, for example, the loss of Deaf clubs or closure of deaf schools in some countries, comparing this to the Australian context, and reflecting on the implications of these changes over time for the Deaf community and for the status of Auslan
  • recognising different philosophical and social views about deafness, considering the impact of varying attitudes on a deaf person’s understanding of their rights and how they are represented and perceived in wider society
  • explaining the influence of other signed languages such as BSL, ISL and ASL on Auslan over different periods of time and in different domains of language use, and discussing reasons for such influence
  • looking at style shifts in domains where English is in closer contact with Auslan, such as the use of more English-like structures in educational settings
  • discussing the concept of ‘language health’ and how it applies to Auslan, for example by designing a chart of relevant factors such as status (social, economic, historical), demography (number and distribution of users) and institutional support (media, government, education, religion, industry, culture)

  VCASFU215 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Language awareness

• VCASFU179

  Explore the current status and profile of Auslan and of the Deaf community in contemporary Australian society, considering issues such as language transmission, usage and documentation

  Elaborations

  • describing the visibility and use of Auslan in the wider community, for example in television programs, on the news, at community events, sporting fixtures and in emergency announcements
  • discussing the diversity of Auslan users in the Australian community, including people who are deaf, those who are hard of hearing and hearing people such as CODAs and interpreters
  • investigating the signed languages used by deaf and hard of hearing members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
  • exploring variation in Auslan fluency among classmates and members of the Deaf community, considering the relevance of factors such as where and when individual users learnt to sign and whether they are from a Deaf or hearing family
  • mapping sign language use around the world using data from Ethnologue, for example by identifying and labelling countries with correct naming of the sign language used, such as France = LSF: Langue des Signes Française; Germany = DGS: Deutsche Gebärdensprache
  • finding representations of signing deaf people in the media or in literary texts, and evaluating how they and the language are represented
  • investigating the profile and distribution of members of the Deaf community, for example across states of Australia or by age or gender, using data from censuses and other sources to summarise and represent information in graph/visual forms, and to suggest possible explanations of patterns or statistics
  • understanding the role and function of Auslan–English interpreters and Deaf interpreters and the access and opportunities they provide to language users
  • recognising that many languages are well-documented, strong, healthy and widely used by many people across generations while others are less well-documented and robust
  • recognising that some languages have no written form and have historically been passed on face to face/orally, which means that they are less well recorded or documented
  • recognising language documentation as an important means of recording, maintaining, transmitting and revitalising a language
  • understanding the nature of transmission of Auslan, for example, that in most cases Auslan is not passed on from parent to child but from peers, or is learnt by children from adults outside the family, and that some Deaf people learn Auslan later in early adulthood
  • describing how Auslan has been transmitted across generations and how it has been recorded, investigating reasons for the ‘oral’ tradition language transmission
  • using the UNESCO atlas to map the world’s minority languages and those that are in critical endangerment and to document the vitality of signed languages
  • exploring how different technologies are used by deaf people to support social networks and strengthen their community and language
  • explaining the significance of stories linked to Deaf social history and the responsibility of the Deaf community to convey shared experiences that relate to Deaf history and significant sites, for example by sharing stories about school days in the past
  • identifying examples of deaf people who have been recognised for different reasons in wider Australian society, for example, Alastair McEwin or Drisana Levitzke-Gray, and discussing how such recognition contributes to broader awareness of Auslan in Australia

  VCASFU179 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | Understanding | Language awareness

• VCASFC206

  Consider the dynamic nature of translating and interpreting and the role of culture when transferring meaning from one language to another

  Elaborations

  • experimenting with literal Auslan translations of popular English idioms, noticing when this creates confusion (for example, ‘raining cats and dogs’) and recognising the nature and function of cultural elements of communication and their impact on language use
  • comparing different translations of online Auslan and English public announcements or government policy/information texts in terms of approaches to translation, for example, free versus literal translation
  • using different resources, including online dictionaries and footage, to assist in translation, for example by comparing individual translations, back-translations and reviewing useful references
  • viewing and discussing the quality of online Auslan translations, such as the Catching Fire series of safety videos
  • recognising the need to sometimes recast language, and considering why one language may use more words/signs than another to communicate a particular meaning or concept, for example, Auslan uses spatial concepts or depicting signs to describe the scene of a car crash, which will take longer to explicate in a linear spoken language
  • translating small chunks of unfamiliar English text such as a news update from an autocue or poster card into Auslan in consecutive mode
  • providing annotated examples of translations of poems or other text types, identifying challenges involved in transferring meaning, expression, culture or mood
  • translating songs, poems or short stories from English into Auslan, for example, ‘I Am Australian’
  • exploring the role and function of Deaf interpreters and differences between Deaf interpreters and Auslan–English interpreters
  • researching aspects of available interpreting services in the area, for example, qualifications required for employment, ethical considerations, and issues of interpreting and translating in specialised contexts such as health, education, legal settings
  • developing guidelines on culturally appropriate and ethical behaviour when interpreting and translating, for example explaining ways people should act in interpreting contexts, considering potential consequences of inaccurate interpreting
  • role-playing interpreting in a range of contexts, for example, in a shop or at a sports match
  • participating in an excursion to an interpreted theatre event, with prior knowledge of the text/story and attending to the interpretation for discussion later in class

  VCASFC206 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Communicating | Translating

• VCASFC190

  Consider their own and each other’s cultural experiences and ways of expressing identity and reflect on the role of Auslan in building and expressing identity for Deaf people

  Elaborations

  • exploring how their own biography shapes their sense of identity and ways of communicating, for example by considering elements such as family origins, traditions, beliefs, practices, interests and experiences
  • noticing and comparing how they use signs or expressions when communicating in English or Auslan and considering which feel closest to their sense of identity
  • comparing and reflecting on how identity is expressed across cultures and languages, for example by considering the idea of ‘belonging’ as expressed in different languages and cultures
  • discussing how their upbringing and personal experience impact on assumptions or attitudes that they bring to interactions with people who have different backgrounds or experiences, considering concepts such as communication, personality, family and community
  • discussing the impact of language and culture on the shaping of identity and the sense of wellbeing
  • considering connections and shared identity between local, regional and national communities of deaf people, for example by inviting a deaf guest to share their experiences of travel or international contact

  VCASFC190 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Identity

• VCASFC152

  Translate high-frequency signs/words and expressions in simple texts such as repeated lines in a story, noticing which ones are difficult to interpret

  Elaborations

  • participating in shared reading of texts such as the Auslan–English versions of ‘The Wrong Book’ and answering questions about unfamiliar signs and word/sign matches and mismatches in the text
  • identifying and comparing key signs and words in Auslan and English versions of favourite stories, for example, ‘The Three Little Pigs’ and ‘The Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly’, noticing how signs can represent concepts which might not have a direct match in English
  • translating popular children’s songs into Auslan, for example, ‘Happy Birthday’
  • playing matching-pair games with Auslan sign-image flashcards and English flashcards, for example, matching cards associated with weather or animals in both languages
  • collecting and noting a list of gestures commonly used by hearing people when speaking English that have similar meaning when used in Auslan, for example, head nodding, shoulder shrugging, pointing to watch

  VCASFC152 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 3 and 4 | Communicating | Translating

• VCASFU105

  Recognise similarities and differences in language features of different types of texts, and notice how signers build cohesion in texts

  Elaborations

  • recognising that texts are made up of one or more clauses, which have one or more signs in them, which together make meaning
  • looking at short recounts or narratives in Auslan and identifying information necessary to communicate with others such as who was involved or when and where the event happened
  • recognising that different signed texts serve different purposes and discussing and comparing these purposes, for example, a procedure is to explain how, a narrative is to entertain
  • identifying how signers use space to track participants through a text, for example by pointing back to an established location to refer to a noun referent
  • identifying the many ways signers can refer to the same referent in a text, for example by using DSs, points or list buoys, and noticing how such strategies help maintain interest and support understanding

  VCASFU105 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCASFC028

  Consider how individual and community relationships combine to create family and social networks, influence social behaviours and contribute to a sense of belonging and identity

  Elaborations

  • creating individual family trees and identifying deaf and hearing family members
  • interacting with Deaf elders to discuss visual ways of being, interacting and behaving associated with identity
  • designing visual representations such as concept maps, posters or captioned slide presentations to show individual and group connections within the Deaf community such as friendship, family or sporting groups, or state and national Deaf community associations, discussing how these contribute to a sense of identity
  • exploring the concept of ‘family’ as it relates to the Deaf community, considering how it extends beyond the traditional concept to include broader social networks
  • explaining how deaf families play a key role in language maintenance and shared sense of identity across generations
  • exploring how name signs are created and form part of an individual identity, for example by providing contemporary examples such as signs for their peers, teachers and Deaf elders
  • using a vlog journal entry to discuss how having peers who share the same language develops social bonds, personal confidence and a sense of shared identity
  • responding to presentations by Deaf visitors to the classroom who share their experiences of education, family life, social networks, community and sense of identity, for example by discussing similarities and differences to their own lives
  • sharing views on why certain places have special significance to the Deaf community, evoking a sense of belonging and pride and representing particular bonds between people, place and experience, for example, Deaf schools or sites of historic significance such as original Deaf Society/Mission buildings or other former meeting places
  • identifying how deaf people share modifications to space to maximise visual attention, such as adjusting seating or removing visual obstacles

  VCASFC028 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 3 and 4 | Communicating | Identity

• VCASFU053

  Explore the current status and profile of Auslan and of the Deaf community in contemporary Australian society, considering issues such as language transmission, usage and documentation

  Elaborations

  • discussing the diversity of Auslan users in the Australian community, including people who are deaf, those who are hard of hearing and hearing people such as CODAs and interpreters
  • investigating the signed languages used by deaf and hard of hearing members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
  • exploring variation in Auslan fluency among classmates and members of the Deaf community, considering the relevance of factors such as where and when individual users learnt to sign and whether they are from a Deaf or hearing family
  • mapping sign language use around the world using data from Ethnologue, for example by identifying and labelling countries with correct naming of the sign language used, such as France = LSF: Langue des Signes Française; Germany = DGS: Deutsche Gebärdensprache
  • finding representations of signing deaf people in the media or in literary texts, and evaluating how they and the language are represented
  • investigating the profile and distribution of members of the Deaf community, for example across states of Australia or by age or gender, using data from censuses and other sources to summarise and represent information in graph/visual forms, and to suggest possible explanations of patterns or statistics
  • understanding the role and function of Auslan–English interpreters and Deaf interpreters and the access and opportunities they provide to language users
  • recognising that many languages are well-documented, strong, healthy and widely used by many people across generations while others are less documented and robust
  • recognising that some languages have no written form and have historically been passed on face to face/orally, which means that they are less well recorded or documented
  • recognising language documentation as an important means of recording, maintaining, transmitting and revitalising a language
  • understanding the nature of transmission of Auslan, for example, that in most cases Auslan is not passed on from parent to child but from peers, or is learnt by children from adults outside the family, and that some deaf people learn Auslan later in early adulthood
  • describing how Auslan has been transmitted across generations and how it has been recorded, investigating reasons for the ‘oral’ tradition language transmission
  • using the UNESCO atlas to map the world’s minority languages and those that are in critical endangerment and to document the vitality of signed languages

  VCASFU053 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | Understanding | Language awareness

• VCASFC170

  Translate familiar texts from Auslan to English and vice versa, noticing which words or phrases require interpretation or explanation

  Elaborations

  • finding and using phrases that have direct translations between Auslan and English, for example, Goodnight, Happy birthday
  • shadowing a story in Auslan as a pre-interpreting skill, noticing which phrases and concepts need more unpacking
  • demonstrating the use of a bilingual online dictionary (Signbank), for example by looking up various meanings of the word run and comparing variation in signs for the concept in different contexts, and using it to translate Auslan texts into English and vice versa
  • using resources such as Signbank to identify words which might not have a direct sign equivalent, for example, jewellery, pets and other collective nouns
  • translating segments from popular children’s texts such as fairytales or short stories into Auslan, considering why some elements cannot be translated literally

  VCASFC170 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | Communicating | Translating

• VCASFC186

  Interpret different types of texts that involve the expression of feelings or experiences and the representation of imagined people, places and scenarios, sharing and comparing their responses to different elements

  Elaborations

  • viewing and responding to sign poetry from around the world, for example by comparing differences and similarities in ‘visual vernacular’
  • recognising how a character’s feelings and attitudes are expressed through NMFs and manner
  • evaluating Deaf performances or art forms that use technology such as camera and lighting techniques to expressive effect, for example performances by Ian Sanborn
  • describing and comparing responses to the use of colour and images by deaf artists such as Juan Fernández Navarrete or Nancy Rourke
  • identifying and profiling Deaf artists who make use of music, for example members of the Deaf Performing Arts Network
  • exploring how cultural values and the expression of identity are reflected in different forms of artistic expression, such as poetry performances by Walter Kadiki or John Wilson’s ‘Home’
  • comparing visual elements of signed media texts with those of equivalent texts produced for a hearing audience, for example, the teen drama Switched at Birth with teen dramas from BSL Zone
  • exploring the concept of metaphorical iconicity used in poems and narratives, for example by shadowing selected elements
  • analysing how elements of theatre performance such as emotional nuance are communicated through interpreters in a live setting

  VCASFC186 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Creating

• VCASFC061

  Create imaginative and expressive texts that draw from their experience as Auslan users and members of the Deaf community and which support the experience of younger learners

  Elaborations

  • composing and performing soliloquies that capture elements of the Deaf experience in a hearing world
  • creating resources to support younger learners of Auslan, such as signed versions of games such as ‘Guess Who?’, riddles, treasure hunts or amusing tales
  • creating imaginative texts that present abstract ideas, such as hope, inclusion, friendship, in creative or amusing ways
  • creating an Auslan version of a popular song, using elements of all parameters to convey key messages and nuance emotional expression
  • creating a piece of art, such as a drawing, painting or photo collage, that reflects their experience of living in and moving between the Deaf and hearing worlds
  • engaging with the work of Deaf theatre groups such as the Australian Theatre of the Deaf, using elements of performances as models for their own experimentation with signed theatre
  • creating a performance for a school or Deaf festival based on the lives of celebrated or historical members of the Deaf community
  • presenting a short story based on their own experience of being a deaf student in a hearing school community, incorporating key elements of narrative structure, such as character introduction, problem/conflict, resolution
  • re-creating a theatre set from a two-dimensional image using signed space

  VCASFC061 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Creating

• VCASFC005

  Present information about self, family, people, places and things using signed descriptions and visual prompts

  Elaborations

  • describing an object, animal or person using lexical adjectives, for example colours, or SASS depicting signs relating to size and shape
  • contributing to a digital class presentation such as a video by signing a description of their own photo or piece of work
  • demonstrating a simple procedure using list buoys and related sign vocabulary to demonstrate the different steps
  • labelling objects in the classroom and in learning resources such as books and wall charts with pictures of signs
  • recounting to the class details of a personal experience such as a holiday or weekend event
  • reporting aspects of their daily routines or family life, such as how they travel to school or what they eat for lunch
  • categorising and displaying pictures of signs, for example on a handshape wall
  • presenting specific information such as a weather report using visual prompts or a digital presentation
  • sharing information about their family, home or local community with their classmates, for example, through signed commentary to a display or digital presentation
  • reporting key elements obtained from predominantly visual infographics or diagrams related to different learning areas, for example, life cycle charts
  • providing information needed to complete an information-gap activity, for example, ‘20 Questions’ with yes/no answers, or ‘Guess Who?’

  VCASFC005 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Foundation to Level 2 | Communicating | Informing

• VCASFC240

  Respond to different types of creative texts that involve the expression of feelings or experiences, comparing their responses to different elements and making connections with their own experience

  Elaborations

  • viewing and responding to creative texts such as television programs, poems and theatre performances that are used to represent the Deaf experience, for example the television program Switched at Birth
  • recognising how a character’s feelings and attitudes are expressed through NMFs, and expressing their own feelings or attitudes in similar contexts or situations
  • responding to different types of creative and imaginative texts, such as signed poetry, short stories or songs, identifying and discussing the artistic signed choices and making connections with their own experiences
  • exploring how cultural values and the expression of identity are reflected in different forms of artistic expression, such as poems by Walter Kadiki or John Wilson
  • evaluating Deaf performances or art forms that manipulate technology and the use of colour and light to create special effects, for example, in performances by Ian Sanborn
  • analysing how elements of creative performance such as emotional nuance are communicated through interpreters in a live setting
  • identifying and profiling deaf artists who make use of music, for example, members of the Deaf Performing Arts Network
  • engaging with examples of Deaf humour, such as Deaf jokes, and comparing them with examples of humour in spoken English or in silent films or mime
  • viewing and comparing expressions of Deaf experience through different visual art forms, such as painting, photography or sculpture, comparing with their own use of visual forms of expression of feelings and experience

  VCASFC240 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Communicating | Creating

• VCASFC173

  Reflect on how language and cultural background influence perceptions of other languages and communities, and on their experience of learning and communicating in Auslan

  Elaborations

  • examining misconceptions held by some hearing people about deaf people, Auslan and Deaf culture, such as the idea that all deaf people can hear with hearing aids, or that deaf people may not drive
  • considering possible explanations for assumptions deaf people might make about hearing people or about spoken languages
  • observing and documenting their development as learners of Auslan, for example, by recording learning experiences and reflections in blogs, learning logs or journals, considering whether their sense of identity changes when communicating in this language
  • reflecting on similarities and differences between spoken language and signed language users, for example, behaviours when joining interactions, taking turns, using name signs, or passing between people who are communicating with each other
  • identifying and comparing how various emotions and different attitudes, such as respect, shyness, exuberance or embarrassment, are expressed in and responded to by different languages and cultures
  • exploring ideas about identity in journal writing, for example by documenting challenges and rewards relating to second language learning and any changes in relation to their sense of identity

  VCASFC173 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 5 and 6 | Communicating | Reflecting

• VCASFC059

  Exchange/provide information, opinions and experiences in either formal or informal contexts

  Elaborations

  • working in groups to create an informative multimedia text that invites debate of a social or cultural question, such as the medical versus cultural view of deafness
  • viewing two or more related signed texts on a selected topic, summarising and comparing key points of information and rephrasing for a class presentation
  • creating texts such as vlogs or advertisements that present information intended to convince or persuade others of the importance of learning Auslan
  • giving presentations that include different perspectives on a selected issue, for example identifying and evaluating differences in views in relation to Deaf education
  • creating and presenting explanations about simple biological or mechanical processes, such as how the ear, hearing aids and cochlear implants work
  • presenting a critical review of media profiles of respected/high-profile members of the Australian Deaf community, focusing on the relationship between texts and contexts
  • summarising visual ways of communicating, transmitting and receiving information and how these influence group learning and information sharing among Deaf people
  • working with an interpreter to decide how to present information on a selected topic to a hearing audience
  • identifying and profiling Deaf artists who make use of music, as in work associated with the Deaf Performing Arts Network

  VCASFC059 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Informing

• VCASFC245

  Reflect on the experience of learning and using Auslan and how the experience is influenced by their own languages and cultures, and consider how intercultural communication involves shared responsibility for making meaning

  Elaborations

  • reflecting on how learning Auslan provides a distinctive and additional means of understanding the world in which they live and the relationship that exists between language, culture and identity
  • considering issues of access, identity and audism, and also issues of discrimination, inclusion and exclusion in respect to different language and cultural communities
  • keeping a journal of experiences (humorous, satisfying or challenging) associated with learning and using Auslan in various contexts, noting changes in their personal responses and reflections over time, and comparing insights gained into their own languages and cultures
  • analysing their own cultural assumptions prior to learning Auslan, and considering if these have changed through the learning experience
  • reflecting on similarities and differences between spoken language and signed language users, for example when joining interactions, taking turns, using name signs or passing between people who are communicating with each other
  • reflecting on the labels deaf and hearing, considering what these mean to different people and their implications in terms of status, access, opportunity and privilege
  • exploring the concepts of insider and outsider views of the Deaf community and their own position in relation to these terms as second language learners of Auslan
  • considering how intercultural communication is a two-way process which involves shared responsibility for making meaning and for ensuring understanding

  VCASFC245 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Communicating | Reflecting

• VCASFU088

  Investigate and analyse the nature of and community attitudes to variation in the use of Auslan

  Elaborations

  • recognising that there is a greater degree of flexibility and variability in ‘oral’, face-to-face languages such as Auslan compared to spoken/written languages passed on from parents to children, for example, less standardisation and minimal ‘frozen texts’, and considering reasons for such differences
  • researching different aspects of variation in the use of Auslan, considering influences such as geographical location, social groupings, history, educational experience, age of learning, family background and contact with Signed English or other languages
  • debating the merits and disadvantages of creating a standard form of Auslan, for example the benefits of mutual comprehensibility versus the practical problems involved in who decides on the standard and how to get signers to comply
  • considering the effect that expanding sign language interpreter services might have on standardising Auslan, especially in the areas of education and medicine
  • noticing ways people might adapt language according to situation of use, such as when signing to a large audience, the use of one hand or two, clarity of sign production, size of signing space, pace, NMFs, pauses and amount of fingerspelling
  • considering how Auslan has been influenced by the use of Signed English in education settings (especially from the 1970s to the 1990s) and cultural attitudes towards Signed English

  VCASFU088 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCASFU034

  Recognise that there is variation in Auslan use, for example in different locations or physical environments

  Elaborations

  • exploring similarities and differences in Auslan dialects through building webcam relationships with other schools or through identifying and collecting signs that differ in the ‘northern’ (NSW, Qld and ACT) and ‘southern’ (Vic., SA, WA, NT and Tas.) dialects, such as DINNER or AFTERNOON
  • recognising that variation also occurs in spoken languages and noticing some different words for the same thing in English, such as cossie/cozzie, togs or bathers
  • identifying Auslan signs or informal home signs that might be different from signs used by other people
  • considering adaptations to Auslan use when communicating in different physical environments, such as in video chats, across a large yard, or when one or both hands are occupied, for example, variations in vocabulary, size of signing space, clarity of signs, use of fingerspelling and NMFs
  • recognising variation in adaptation of signing between different users of Auslan, for example, people who are deafblind use hand-over-hand signing and tactile fingerspelling

  VCASFU034 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 3 and 4 | Understanding | Language variation and change

• VCASFU214

  Investigate and analyse the nature of and community attitudes to variation in the use of Auslan

  Elaborations

  • recognising that there is a greater degree of flexibility and variability in ‘oral’, face-to-face languages such as Auslan compared to spoken/written languages passed on from parents to children, for example, less standardisation and minimal ‘frozen texts’, and considering reasons for such differences
  • researching different aspects of variation in the use of Auslan, considering influences such as geographical location, social groupings, history, educational experience, age of learning, family background and contact with Signed English or other languages
  • debating the merits and disadvantages of creating a standard form of Auslan, for example the benefits of mutual comprehensibility versus the practical problems involved in who decides on the standard and how to get signers to comply
  • considering the effect that expanding sign language interpreter services might have on standardising Auslan, especially in the areas of education and medicine.
  • noticing ways people might adapt language according to situation of use, such as when signing to a large audience, the use of one hand or two, clarity of sign production, size of signing space, pace, NMFs, pauses and amount of fingerspelling
  • considering how Auslan has been influenced by the use of Signed English in education settings (especially from the 1970s to 1990s) and cultural attitudes towards Signed English

  VCASFU214 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Language variation and change