Queenscliff’s St Aloysius Primary School introduces Auslan as second language other than English

A school on the Bellarine Peninsula has introduced Auslan sign language, with a support organisation revealing how it could lead to more inclusion for the Deaf community.

Theo, Henri and Patrick saying I am learning Auslan, in the sign language. Picture: Alan Barber

A Queenscliff primary school has started teaching students Auslan, as a support organisation urges more educators to take up the sign language amid huge demand growth.

Queenscliff’s St Aloysius Primary School has introduced Auslan sign language as its second language for pupils.

Principal Miriam Leahy said students, staff and parents had done Deaf Awareness Training in term 4, ahead of a curriculum being introduced for 2024.

According to the Australian Network on Disability, one in six Australians are affected by hearing loss.

Ms Leahy said by teaching Auslan, students were gaining an important understanding of deaf culture.

Ms Leahy said learning Auslan was breaking down barriers. Pictured students Theo, Henri and Georgia. Picture: Alan Barber

She said the school community loved learning the alphabet as a starting point, and some other key signs to say “hello”, ”goodbye” and “how are you”.

“It’s breaking down barriers to engagement and understanding,” she said.

Expression Australia chief executive Rebecca Adam said she applauded the school’s introduction of Auslan, and hoped more would do so.

She said Auslan was the sixth most learnt language in Australia, and hoped all schools adopted Auslan in their curriculum.

“The more hearing people are exposed to our language, the more access and inclusion we have,” Ms Adam said.

“Over the previous five years at Expression Australia we’ve seen huge growth in the demand for Auslan classes and it’s with great pride that we can share our language with our fellow countrypeople.”

Dr Kaye Scott, of Deakin University’s School of Education, said it was important any Auslan program introduced to schools was delivered in consultation with the deaf community.

Dr Scott said 10,000 hours of learning was needed to become fluent in any language.

She said it was important to have specific reasons for teaching and learning Auslan, including to communicate with deaf or hard of hearing peers and community members.

“As long as they’ve got somebody to sign with, and have a purpose, then it’s a really good way of showing people in the deaf community that they’re interested in learning,” she said.

“It’s very appealing because it’s a visual language, but you’ve got to have a purpose for using it.”

Ms Leahy said the students became familiar with seeing Auslan interpreters on television during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It made them realise that this is a language that is used widely every day and plays a big role in keeping people connected and informed,” she said.

“They are excited that they will also be able to communicate in this way too.”

Ms Adam said it meant a lot for a deaf person to see hearing people attempting to communicate in their first language, and if peers were able to communicate through Auslan, it improved their sense of belonging, identity and equality.

“If Auslan is made more prevalent throughout our school system, it can make its way into everyday society creating a true inclusive, equal society for deaf and hearing people alike,” she said.

Originally published as Queenscliff’s St Aloysius Primary School introduces Auslan as second language other than English