Village students get hands on with new language
Students of all ages enthusiastically signed up to Auslan sessions, and have enjoyed the fun and interactive lessons.
Phillip Island Village School first offered Auslan as a LOTE option in 2021, when Joanna Bovell, who has a diploma in Auslan and Deaf Studies, started working as an Assistant Mentor at the school.
Students of all ages enthusiastically signed up to Auslan sessions, and have enjoyed the fun and interactive lessons.
In Cycle 1, students focused on new vocabulary including transport, directions, and time.
Joanna used a range of engaging games and activities to review the vocabulary, finger spelling and numbers that students had learned last year.
She also introduced students to the history of deaf people in Australia and how Auslan developed from other signed languages overseas.
In Cycle 2, students will be taking a close look at the importance of ‘HOLME’ in Auslan, which means breaking each sign down into: Handshape, Orientation, Location, Movement and Expression.
By examining the signs in this way, the students will be able to improve their signing as they will have a better idea of the importance of each feature of a sign.
They will be playing more games and learning songs in Auslan.
