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• VCASFU198

  Reflect on how language use is influenced by communities’ world views and sense of identity and on how language and culture influence each other

  Elaborations

  • exploring the nature of culture and how it is related to ways of thinking and using language, for example by comparing the cultural concept of Deaf identity with a medical model of deafness
  • reflecting on ways that Auslan describes and reflects Deaf culture, comparing this to the relationship between their own hearing/background language and culture
  • analysing how concepts related to cultural practices are expressed through language, for example, by identifying elements of naming systems such as the use of pointing, NMFs and name signs, as in the case of number name signs of older deaf people who attended the Victorian School for Deaf Children
  • identifying and discussing core cultural concepts reflected in Auslan, such as the collective nature of the Deaf community, the importance of respect for elders and of reciprocity and responsibility, for example, how signing TAP-2h++ reflects the shared understanding of responsibility to share information and pass on knowledge, or greater use of the ‘flat hand’ rather than the ‘point hand’ and use of full titles in acknowledgements and forms of address when introducing an esteemed elder
  • identifying culturally significant attitudes and beliefs conveyed through Auslan that relate to history, significant individuals, places or events, for example, frustration with the use of ‘voice’ in front of deaf signers can be traced to the historical oppression of signed languages
  • comparing elements of communication in different contexts and exchanges that are culturally specific, such as back-channelling, the use of silence or eye contact, head nodding to indicate understanding rather than agreement, and the implications of such cultural variability in contexts such as in courts of law
  • observing that concepts may be culture and language specific, for example, in relation to time and space, as in the spatial mapping for timelines in Auslan
  • exploring ways in which production and affect related to the sign for COCHLEAR IMPLANT have evolved due to shifting values and perceptions within the Deaf community in relation to the implant, noting, for example, the transition from a negative affect to more neutral production of the sign

  VCASFU198 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Role of language and culture

• VCASFU072

  Reflect on how language use is influenced by communities’ world views and sense of identity and on how language and culture influence each other

  Elaborations

  • exploring the nature of culture and how it is related to ways of thinking and using language, for example by comparing the cultural concept of Deaf identity with a medical model of deafness
  • exploring ways in which language choices, such as sign choices, reflect attitudes towards certain topics, for example, oralism
  • analysing how concepts related to cultural practices are expressed through language, for example, by identifying particular elements of naming systems, such as the use of pointing, NMFs and name signs, as in the case of number name signs of older deaf people who attended the Victorian School for Deaf Children
  • identifying and discussing core cultural concepts reflected in Auslan such as the collective nature of the Deaf community, the importance of respect for elders and of reciprocity and responsibility, for example, how signing TAP-MANY, TAP-2H++ reflects understanding of responsibility to share information and pass on knowledge, or greater use of the ‘flat hand’ rather than the ‘point hand’ and use of full titles in acknowledgements and forms of address when introducing an esteemed Deaf elder
  • investigating how Auslan users interact with their social and physical environment, for example, locating other signers, gravitating to spaces that are visually accessible
  • identifying culturally significant attitudes and beliefs conveyed through Auslan that relate to history, significant individuals, places or events, for example, attitudes to spoken language that reflect the history of suppression of signed languages, as in the use of signs that reference tensions between oral and signing deaf people or between hearing and deaf people, such as the sign for communication breakdown which infers lack of awareness or understanding of cultural values, beliefs and language on the part of the other party
  • comparing elements of communication in different contexts and exchanges that are culturally specific, such as back-channelling, the use of silence or eye contact, head nodding to indicate understanding rather than agreement, and the implications of such cultural variability in contexts such as courts of law
  • observing that concepts may be culture and language specific, for example, in relation to time and space, as in the spatial mapping for timelines in Auslan
  • understanding how developing sign language literatures which recount significant journeys and events associated with the beginnings of Deaf education and the development of Deaf communities not only map history but also embody values and mores of Deaf cultures, for example, accounts of the Gallaudet and Clerc reciprocal relationship, or the US Civil War deaf soldiers’ story as told by Ben Bahan
  • exploring ways in which the production and affect related to the sign for COCHLEAR-IMPLANT have evolved over time due to shifting values and perceptions of the Deaf community in relation to the implant, noting, for example, the transition from a negative affect to more neutral production of the sign
  • researching examples of deaf leaders who have established organisations or services which met the cultural needs of their community, for example, Dorothy Shaw and Deaf Action Books, Nola Colefax and the Australian Theatre of the Deaf

  VCASFU072 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Role of language and culture

• VCASFU251

  Understand the range of factors that influence the profile, diversity and distribution of Auslan use in the wider Australian society, and consider the concept of Auslan vitality in comparison with other spoken and signed languages used around the world

  Elaborations

  • understanding that strong and healthy languages are those used by many people across generations in most domains to communicate about most topics
  • mapping the distribution of Auslan users across Australian states and demographics, using data from censuses and other sources to present findings in graph/visual representation forms
  • describing the role religion has played in influencing the usage and spread of Auslan, for example, through religious orders, early Deaf Societies and Bible translation projects
  • considering the impact of historical international events such as the Milan Congress (1880) and the linguistic recognition and documentation of signed languages in the1960s and 1970s on the use of signed languages in education, and on deaf people’s feelings of ownership and pride in their languages
  • analysing the impact of migration and the settlement of deaf people from the UK and other countries on the development of Auslan
  • investigating the geographical location, origins and history of deaf schools in Australia and the impact of these institutions on the transmission, use and status of Auslan
  • exploring how Auslan is used by deafblind people and their role in the Deaf community
  • investigating historical patterns of employment of deaf people in certain trades and fields of employment, and the impact these traditional domains have on the development of Auslan
  • reflecting on the role of Auslan interpreters in raising awareness and understanding of Auslan in the wider community, and considering ways in which they influence the function and nature of Auslan, for example by the introduction of neologisms
  • identifying language documentation as an important way of recording, transmitting and maintaining the vitality of languages
  • recognising that some languages have no written form and have historically been passed on face to face/orally, and so are less well recorded and documented
  • understanding that some languages used in Australia, such as English, have large numbers of users, while others, such as many spoken and signed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, are endangered or in the process of being revived or reclaimed
  • recognising that languages may be perceived as ‘weak’ or ‘strong’ based on community values and the existence of documentation and literature in the language
  • exploring the vitality of different languages by obtaining information from the UNESCO interactive online atlas and/or Ethnologue to compare numbers of speakers/signers of different languages
  • considering ways that Auslan is evolving due to various influences, including the capacity for new technologies to store, record and share sign languages internationally
  • exploring the role of globalisation in terms of what technology offers signed languages in terms of maintaining their vitality, for example, the use of ELAN for capturing and documenting Auslan
  • understanding the importance of advocating for Deaf rights to address existing gaps in services, for example in relation to issues such as the increased provision of Auslan interpreters, Deaf interpreters or captioning
  • responding to Deaf elders' guidance on how cultural values, beliefs and traditions are connected through shared life experience, language and visual ways of being, and how they are demonstrated in community behaviour and interactions with the wider community
  • comparing strategies used by deaf and hearing adults to negotiate physical environments, for example, different behaviours at a bank of lifts, and identifying how deaf people draw on additional perceptual resources in ways hearing people are unaware of
  • exploring technologies such as videoconferencing apps used by deaf people to communicate visually, to support social networks, to strengthen a sense of individual or shared identity as sign language users and to promote language vitality
  • considering likely contemporary influences or pressures on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander signed languages and the possible impact on their future
  • understanding how and why some deaf children face challenges with communication in hearing families or in social settings
  • recognising the important role of deaf families and deaf schools in preserving and maintaining Auslan and cultural identity
  • identifying behaviours, rights, roles and responsibilities in relation to the ownership and maintenance of Auslan and how such ownership rests with the Deaf community and is determined by traditional social groupings/families, significant places, history and stories
  • 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
  • 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
  • researching the status and recognition of signed languages in other countries, for example, New Zealand, the USA, the UK or the Scandinavian nations, considering issues such as language rights, language documentation and development efforts
  • identifying the changing status of significant sites in different international Deaf communities, for example, the loss of Deaf clubs or the closure of deaf schools in some countries, comparing this to the Australian context and reflecting on how such changes impact over time on Deaf communities and on 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

  VCASFU251 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Language awareness

• VCASFU071

  Understand historical and contemporary factors that impact on awareness, support and use of Auslan and its vitality in contemporary Australia, comparing it with that of other signed languages around the world

  Elaborations

  • considering the impact of international historical events such as the Milan Congress (1880) and the linguistic recognition and documentation of signed languages (1960s and 1970s) on the use of signed languages in education and deaf people’s feelings of ownership and pride in their languages
  • analysing the impact of migration and settlement of deaf people from the UK and other countries in Australia on the development of Auslan
  • investigating the geographical location, origins and history of deaf schools in Australia and the impact of these institutions on the transmission, use and status of Auslan
  • considering the contemporary influences and pressures on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander signed languages and how these may affect their vitality
  • describing the role religion has played in influencing Auslan in terms of usage and spread, for example, by religious orders, early Deaf Societies and Bible translation projects
  • exploring multilingualism in the Deaf community, including the use of Auslan, English and other signed and spoken languages such as Irish-Australian sign language, and how and when users typically switch between languages and dialects
  • investigating the use and impact of generic digital technology and specific forms of communication by Auslan users, for example, video chat, social media, SMS/texting, and NRS and VRS
  • reflecting on the role of Auslan interpreters in raising awareness and understanding of Auslan in the wider community and in influencing the function and nature of Auslan, for example by the introduction of new signs for temporary use in certain contexts
  • investigating historical patterns of employment of deaf people in certain trades and fields of work, and the impact of these traditional employment domains on Auslan development
  • considering ways that Auslan is evolving due to influences such as globalisation and the capacity for new technology to store, record and share sign languages internationally
  • comparing levels of endangerment of different sign languages, such as NZSL, village sign languages, ASL, Scandinavian, South American sign languages and Auslan, for example by using UNESCO data by reviewing the iSLanDS survey findings
  • understanding the challenges faced by Auslan and other signed languages due to intergenerational disjunction in language transmission
  • investigating how new or specialised language associated with domains such as technology, engineering, cooking or fashion are used but not documented in the Deaf community, and how such language impacts on language vitality
  • identifying contexts and circumstances that support increased usage and acceptance of newly coined Auslan terms, for example, a workplace with several deaf employees
  • researching the role of the World Federation of the Deaf in mapping and monitoring the vitality of sign languages around the world and in protecting sign language diversity

  VCASFU071 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Language awareness

• VCASFU197

  Understand historical and contemporary factors that impact on awareness, support and use of Auslan and its vitality in contemporary Australia, comparing it with that of other signed languages around the world

  Elaborations

  • considering the impact of international historical events such as the Milan Congress (1880) and the linguistic recognition and documentation of signed languages (1960s and 1970s) on the use of signed languages in education and deaf people’s feelings of ownership and pride in their languages
  • analysing the impact of migration and settlement of deaf people from the UK and other countries in Australia, on the development of Auslan
  • investigating the geographical location, origins and history of deaf schools in Australia and the impact of these institutions on the transmission, use and status of Auslan
  • considering the contemporary influences and pressures on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander signed languages and how these may affect their vitality
  • describing the role religion has played in influencing Auslan in terms of usage and spread, for example, by religious orders, early Deaf Societies and Bible translation projects
  • exploring the history and acceptance of signed languages and Deaf community and culture around the world, for example by creating a timeline or a research poster
  • exploring multilingualism in the Deaf community, including the use of Auslan, English and other signed and spoken languages such as Irish-Australian sign language, and how and when users typically switch between languages and dialects
  • investigating the use and impact of generic digital technology and specific forms of communication by Auslan users, for example, video chat, social media, SMS/texting, and NRS and VRS
  • reflecting on the role of Auslan interpreters in raising awareness and understanding of Auslan in the wider community and in influencing the function and nature of Auslan, for example by the introduction of new signs for temporary use in certain contexts
  • exploring the role of deafblind people in the Deaf community
  • investigating historical patterns of employment of deaf people in certain trades and fields of work, and the impact of these traditional employment domains on Auslan development
  • considering ways that Auslan is evolving due to influences such as globalisation and the capacity for new technology to store, record and share sign languages internationally
  • comparing levels of endangerment of different sign languages, such as NZSL, village sign languages, ASL, Scandinavian, South American sign languages and Auslan, for example by using UNESCO data by reviewing the iSLanDS survey findings
  • understanding the challenges faced by Auslan and other signed languages due to intergenerational disjunction in language transmission
  • investigating how new or specialised language associated with domains such as technology, engineering, cooking or fashion are used but not documented in the Deaf community, and how such language impacts on language vitality
  • identifying contexts and circumstances that support increased usage and acceptance of newly coined Auslan terms, for example, a workplace with several deaf employees
  • recognising reasons for the shared sense of identity of sign language users and the notion of reciprocity in the Deaf community
  • researching the role of the World Federation of the Deaf in mapping and monitoring the vitality of sign languages around the world and in protecting sign language diversity
  • analysing ways in which Deaf people design and adapt spaces in cultural ways (‘Deaf space’) in order to use a visual language, for example, by eliminating visual obstacles to signed communication; using circles or semicircles for meeting and learning spaces; and using open-plan areas, lighting and window placement to maximise visual access to information, with reference to Gallaudet University’s Deaf space design principles

  VCASFU197 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Language awareness

• Languages | Auslan: Rationale and Aims

  Rationale

  The formal study of Auslan contributes to the overall intellectual and social enrichment of both first language and second language learners by providing:

  • opportunities for engagement with the Deaf community and insight into its rich cultural heritage
  • opportunities to develop intercultural...

  Overview material | Auslan

• Auslan - First Language Learner - F–10 Sequence: Levels 9 and 10 achievement standards

  By the end of Level 10, students exchange information, ideas and opinions on a broad range of social, environmental, educational and community issues. They summarise and justify points of view and use reflective language to respond to others’ opinions and perspectives, for example, RIGHT-YEAH,...

  Level description | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10

• VCASFC235

  Socialise and exchange views on selected issues using different communication strategies, language structures and techniques

  Elaborations

  • explaining or justifying a position in relation to personal and social issues, such as the inclusion of deaf jury members, using simple clauses and more complex constructions, such as statements, if…then… or when constructions, for example:
    IF DS:place-person DEAF TEACHER MEANS DEAF HEARING STUDENTS EQUAL-_all
    If there were a deaf teacher in the class as well, then all the students would be equal.
  • debating issues such as whether schools should have a school uniform, using a range of conjunctions and complex clauses, for example:
    SPORT, PRO1 THINK GOOD BECAUSE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE GO-OUT MEET-VARIOUS PEOPLE
    I think sport is great because it encourages people to go out and meet others.
    PRO1 THINK SCHOOL UNIFORM GOOD BECAUSE ALL STUDENT SAME-_all DOESN’T MATTER RICH POOR SAME-_all
    I think school uniforms are good because they keep students equal, and it doesn’t matter if they are rich or poor.
  • participating in conversations with their peers using strategies to sustain interactions, such as turn-taking and asking for repetition, clarification or confirmation, for example:
    WHAT? PLEASE AGAIN
    Could you repeat that, please?
    STILL GO-AHEAD
    Go ahead …
    RIGHT PRO2 SAY PRO1 FIX THAT?
    So, you want me to fix that?
  • communicating with other Auslan users via digital media to exchange views or to express personal opinion on topics such as co-educational or single-sex schools
  • adjusting their language to socialise with different audiences, such as primary school Auslan users, using appropriate code-switching techniques

  VCASFC235 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Communicating | Socialising

• VCASFC132

  Participate in the shared viewing of recorded or live imaginative signed texts, responding through drawing, miming, gesture or familiar signs

  Elaborations

  • viewing recorded or live children’s stories and nursery rhymes in Auslan, for example National Simultaneous Storytime books, demonstrating understanding through drawing, gesture, modelled signs or voice
  • responding to short expressive texts that involve the movement of people, animals and/or vehicles, using drawings, familiar signs or re-enactments with puppets or props
  • playing with key elements of short signed stories, for example by mimicking facial expressions or repeated signs
  • interacting with a signing puppet or doll in an imaginary setting, for example by signing simple questions such as:
    WHAT NAME PRO2?
    What is your name?
    WHAT LIKE D-O PRO2?
    What do you like to do?
    
  • participating in interactions in Auslan that involve imaginative responses to stimuli, using gestures, handshapes, facial expressions and simple signs
  • engaging with different forms of Deaf art, such as handshape creations
  • shadowing non-manual features in short Auslan poems or stories

  VCASFC132 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Foundation to Level 2 | Communicating | Creating

• VCASFC096

  Participate in the viewing of recorded or live imaginative signed texts, responding through drawing, miming, gesture or modelled signs

  Elaborations

  • viewing narratives in Auslan, for example, from the Auslan Storybooks website, demonstrating understanding through drawing, gesture and modelled signs
  • responding to short expressive texts that involve the movement of people, animals or vehicles, demonstrating understanding through drawings or familiar signs
  • responding to key elements of short signed stories, for example by mimicking facial expressions or repeated signs
  • participating in interactions in Auslan that involve imaginative responses to stimuli such as cartoons using gestures, handshapes, facial expressions and simple signs to suggest what happens next in the story
  • engaging with different forms of Deaf art, such as handshape creations, and responding by creating their own piece of art on a similar theme
  • shadowing NMFs in short Auslan poems or narratives
  • retelling favourite events of an Auslan story using modelled signing
  • engaging in imaginative interactions that involve the creation of mood or momentum through repeated use of signs, handshapes and facial expressions to modify manner or intensify adjectives
  • responding to performances of Deaf poetry that evoke emotions such as sadness, fear or excitement, for example by indicating enjoyment or different personal feelings

  VCASFC096 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8 | Communicating | Creating

• VCASFC109

  Describe activities and experiences and share and respond to ideas and feelings about people they know, their daily lives, social worlds and school community

  Elaborations

  • recounting classroom events using indicating, plain and depicting verbs, for example:
    MONDAY PRO1-_plural DS:many-people-go-to SPORT DAY. PRO1 ENJOY
    We all went to a sports day on Monday. I enjoyed it.
  • describing the appearance of people, objects and places using SASS depicting signs and spatial location
  • recounting personal experiences using specific time-related signs and conjunctions, such as:
    LAST HOLIDAYS PRO1 CAMP
    Last holidays I went camping.
  • describing activities they have completed using some verb modifications to show manner, for example:
    PRO1 WRITE-_carelessly
    I wrote it very quickly.
  • interacting with members of the Deaf community to share details of their personal world
  • describing relationships between themselves and members of their school community, for example:
    PRO3 POSS1 BEST FRIEND
    She’s my best friend.
    M-R-S S-M-I-T-H POSS1 SCIENCE TEACHER
    Mrs Smith is my science teacher.
  • recounting events involving more than one person using constructed action
  • describing events that they have experienced and how they made them feel, for example:
    MONDAY DEAF PERSON VISIT SCHOOL PRO1 EXCITED MEET
    On Monday a Deaf visitor came to school. I was excited to meet them.
    MOVIE SCARY BUT PRO1 LIKE
    The movie was scary but I liked it.
  • comparing attributes or characteristics of classmates or classroom objects, for example:
    S-A-M RUN FAST C-H-R-I-S WORSE FAST SPEED
    Sam runs fast but Chris runs the fastest.
    THAT BEST COMPUTER
    That’s the best computer.
    
  • comparing weekend or holiday routines, interests and activities, using signs associated with time, sequence and location, for example:
    REGULAR SUMMER PRO1-_plural GROUP-MOVE-TO COUNTRY STAY++ TWO WEEK
    We go to the beach for three weeks in summer.
    WEEKEND PRO1 GO-TO-AND-BACK++ CAMP
    I go camping on weekends.
    

  VCASFC109 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | 7–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10 | Communicating | Socialising

• VCASFC019

  Communicate with each other and with teachers about aspects of their personal worlds, daily routines, preferences and pastimes

  Elaborations

  • sharing feelings about important experiences or events, for example:
    PRO1 EXCITED HOLIDAY SOON
    I am excited about the holidays.
    POSS1 FRIEND CHANGE OTHER SCHOOL PRO1 SAD
    I was sad when my friend moved away.
    
  • discussing preferences in relation to school or community activities, using comparatives and superlatives
    PRO1 LIKE MATH, SCIENCE BUT POSS1 FAVOURITE ART
    I like maths and science, but my favourite subject is art.
    
  • comparing routines or activities, using signs for time, sequence and location, such as:
    WHAT TIME PRO2 GO-TO-BED?
    What time do you go to bed?
    EVERY MONDAY POSS1 CLASS LIST-BUOY-1 READING LIST-BUOY2 MATHS LIST-BUOY-3 SWIMMING. POSS2 CLASS G:WELL?
    Every Monday my class has reading, then maths, then swimming. What about your class?
    
  • telling each other about daily routines or habits showing aspectual marking on verbs to indicate frequency, such as brushing teeth for a long time
  • interacting with younger children or with people who are just beginning to learn to sign, adapting language to suit the situation
  • describing actions and activities using NMFs to show manner, for example, PRO1 WORK versus PRO1 WORK-_hard
  • participating in online exchanges such as vlogs to compare daily routines or interests with other deaf children or families
  • using persuasive language in social interactions with each other, for example:
    PLEASE POPCORN GIVE-_me++ BEG?
    Please can I have some of your popcorn?

  VCASFC019 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 3 and 4 | Communicating | Socialising

• VCASFC145

  Communicate with each other and with teachers about aspects of their personal worlds, daily routines, preferences and pastimes

  Elaborations

  • asking each other about their daily routines, interests or pastimes, for example:
    PRO2 ARRIVE SCHOOL HOW? CAR TAXI WALK G:WELL?
    How do you get to school?
    PRO2 REGULAR GO-TO-BED WHAT TIME?
    What time do you go to bed?
    WEEKEND OR HOLIDAYS, WHAT D-O?
    What do you do in your free time?
    
  • recounting personal experiences using specific time-related signs and conjunctions, such as BEFORE, AFTER, LONG-TIME-AGO, for example:
    LONG-TIME-AGO PRO1 FLY NEW ZEALAND
    A long time ago I went on a plane to New Zealand.
    
  • recounting classroom events using some indicating, plain and depicting verbs
  • describing activities they have completed, interests or favourite pastimes, using modifications to show manner, for example:
    PRO1 WORK LITTLE, LATER WORK-REALLY HARD
    I worked on it a little bit, then later I worked really hard on it.
    PRO1 SWIM-_fast SWIM-_slow
    I swam really fast till I got tired and slowed down.
    
  • expressing preferences in relation to people, places or things, for example:
    PRO1 LIKE THAT, THAT, BUT THAT BEST BOOK
    I like that one, and that one, but that one is the best book.
    
  • interacting with members of the Deaf community to share details of their personal worlds
  • identifying significant people in their lives, such as family members or friends, describing their appearance, characteristics or personality, for example:
    PRINCIPAL YOU-KNOW LONG-HAIR GLASSES?
    You know the principal? She has long hair and wears glasses.
    POSS1 BROTHER OLD++ TALL REAL FUNNY
    My brother is older; he’s tall and really funny.
    

  VCASFC145 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 3 and 4 | Communicating | Socialising

• VCASFU143

  Recognise that Auslan is a legitimate language, one of many languages used in Australia and around the world

  Elaborations

  • identifying different languages used by their classmates or members of their families, for example by creating a class profile or language map
  • exploring similarities and differences between the many languages used in Australia and represented in the school, including spoken and signed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, and comparing the ways different languages use writing, sound/speech, gestures, drawings, art and signs to communicate
  • recognising the unique nature of signed languages and understanding that there are many different signed languages in use around the world, including in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and that there is not one ‘universal’ signed language
  • recognising that Auslan is a legitimate language, different from mime and gestures such as those used to accompany songs in spoken languages
  • exploring why and how some people are deaf, and identifying different ways that they access language; and investigating the use of hearing aids, FM systems or cochlear implants

  VCASFU143 | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Foundation to Level 2 | Understanding | Language awareness

• VCASFU017

  Recognise that Auslan is a legitimate language, one of many languages used in Australia and around the world

  Elaborations

  • identifying different languages used by their classmates or members of their families, for example by creating a class profile or language map
  • exploring similarities and differences between the many languages used in Australia and represented in the school, including spoken and signed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, and comparing the ways different languages use writing, sound/speech, gestures, drawings, art and signs to communicate
  • recognising the unique nature of signed languages and understanding that there are many different signed languages in use around the world, including in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and that there is not one ‘universal’ signed language
  • recognising that Auslan is a legitimate language, different from mime and gestures such as those used to accompany songs in spoken languages

  VCASFU017 | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Foundation to Level 2 | Understanding | Language awareness

• 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

• Auslan - First Language Learner - F–10 Sequence: Levels 7 and 8 achievement standards

  By the end of Level 8, students interact to share ideas and interests and to offer opinions, using compound and complex sentences, for example by using lexical conjunctions as well as non-manual features (NMFs). They participate in discussions and debates, acknowledging others’ opinions...

  Level description | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8

• Auslan - First Language Learner - F–10 Sequence: Levels 3 and 4 achievement standards

  By the end of Level 4, students communicate with each other, the teaching team and others about aspects of their personal worlds, daily routines, preferences and pastimes at school and in the Deaf community. They show aspectual marking on verbs to indicate frequency when communicating about daily...

  Level description | Languages | Auslan | First Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 3 and 4

• Auslan - Second Language Learner - F–10 Sequence: Levels 9 and 10 achievement standards

  By the end of Level 10, students use Auslan to build relationships and to initiate, sustain and extend interactions with teachers, peers and contacts in the wider community. They engage in debate and discuss aspirations and social issues, explaining and justifying positions and elaborating opinions...

  Level description | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 9 and 10

• Auslan - Second Language Learner - F–10 Sequence: Levels 7 and 8 achievement standards

  By the end of Level 8, students use Auslan to interact and to exchange information, experiences, interests and opinions with teachers, peers and others. They initiate and maintain conversations and use strategies such as fingerspelling to replace unknown signs to support continued interaction, such as

  Level description | Languages | Auslan | Second Language Learner | F–10 Sequence | Levels 7 and 8