Core Skills Analysis
Languages (Auslan)
Over the past two years, AK studied Auslan and expanded vocabulary while learning how meaning was shaped through grammar and syntax. AK explored how metaphors and idioms could express ideas beyond their literal meanings, and practised using constructed actions and depicting signs to communicate information visually. These experiences helped AK build awareness of how Auslan uses movement, signs, and linguistic structure to convey meaning. AK approached the learning keenly and identified role shifting in storytelling as a skill to continue developing.
Tips
Tips Build AK’s storytelling confidence through short, familiar narratives: first identify the characters, then practise showing each character’s actions and viewpoint with clear changes in body orientation, gaze, and facial expression. Record a retelling and review it together, noticing which visual choices make the story easy to follow. Explore Auslan metaphors and idioms in context by comparing their intended meaning with a literal interpretation, then invite AK to create a short visual story that uses one expression, depicting signs, and constructed action. Keep practice supportive and iterative, celebrating each new storytelling choice.
Book Recommendations
- The Gallaudet Dictionary of American Sign Language by Clayton Valli: A widely known visual dictionary for American Sign Language that can support discussion of how signed languages represent meaning; it is not an Auslan vocabulary reference.
Learning Standards
- Australian Curriculum v9.0 — Languages (Auslan): The supplied standards list does not include Auslan-specific content codes, so no precise Languages code can be matched without inventing one. The activity directly concerns Auslan vocabulary, grammar, syntax, figurative expressions, and visual storytelling.
- AC9E10LY07 (English, Year 10): Relevant as a cross-curricular connection where AK plans, rehearses, and delivers a multimodal presentation through signed storytelling.
- AC9E10LA03 (English, Year 10): Connects broadly to examining how language features achieve a communicative purpose, as AK explored how Auslan grammar and syntax shape meaning.
Try This Next
- Story-role practice: Retell a short familiar story, marking each character’s viewpoint with a deliberate shift in body orientation and gaze.
- Expression match-up: Create cards pairing Auslan metaphors or idioms with their intended meanings and a visual example.
- Depicting-sign storyboard: Draw or photograph a sequence and plan which depicting signs or constructed actions could communicate each scene.
- Auslan vocabulary journal: Record new signs with a gloss, an example context, and a note about how grammar or syntax shapes the meaning.