Language Tree Australia

We're recruiting for an Auslan Educator at the moment. Adding to our teaching team... someone saw our advert & asked us a question that I know a lot of people often wonder about.... so I thought I'd share our reply & pop down some great 'morning coffee' web reads you might like (LINKS at the bottom of our text):
QUESTION: If English is Australia's main language, why are you teaching kids Auslan?
OUR ANSWER: Auslan is Australia's sign language (other countries have their own sign languages eg. America has ASL, the UK has British Sign Language BSL, the French have LSF 'langue des signes française' etc) and it is the native language for the Deaf community here in Australia. This includes culturally Deaf people, often born deaf or with hearing loss early in life, as well as those that become Deaf or develop hearing loss later in life including the elderly and those hard-of-hearing. It can include a range of hearing family members and allies, such as CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) and Parents of Deaf children and sign language interpreters.

Auslan is also a really practical and inclusive language that is fantastic for communicating with people who might otherwise not be able to talk verbally/use English eg. people with Down Syndrome or who are autistic and non-verbal. Teaching children sign language can immediately start to engage with these people in their daily activities and relationships. It can also help to normalise difference and build respect, tolerance and gentle inclusion. It can break down barriers in play and learning.
In Childcare and Primary School settings, bilingual programs teaching sign language can support whole room or whole class inclusive communication especially as the Room Educators are learning alongside the children in our Language Tree programs.

Auslan is actually just one of the many languages that the
Language Tree Australia teaches. In some places we also teach French, Chinese, Spanish, Italian and German. Learning any 2nd language gives children an incredible 'gift' or boost for their brain development, especially in the areas of numeracy, literacy and problem-solving and while they are in pre-school or early Primary. We love our children's Auslan programs because not only do the children get these brain development benefits in their early years, but the day-to-day inclusivity and enhanced communication skills they get are amazing ✨🙌

Some great links to read more;
https://deafconnect.org.au/our-news/4-compelling-reasons-to-learn-australian-sign-language

https://www.deafchildrenaustralia.org.au/breaking-down-barriers-why-learning-auslan-is-more-important-than-ever/

https://www.open.edu.au/advice/insights/what-is-auslan

An interview with Dr.Emma Watkins (also known as Emma Memma and ex-Wiggle) about her pathway learning and advocating Auslan
https://now-and-the-future.captivate.fm/episode/an-interview-with-emma-memma

Teaching & children learning Auslan in a pre-school - the benefits
https://aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au/articles/teaching-children/teaching-auslan-in-early-childhood

What would a fun language program look like in your Childcare Centre? Check out some of the fun & games we get up to in with our wonderful Deaf Educator Nathaniel. Games, songs, indigenous stories, conversation and lots of fun activities - all in Auslan! Nathaniel also teaches children at his Centres cultural dance, he loves to use the didgeridoo to complement the sign language sessions (animal & movement sessions are BRILLIANT) and he teaches them indigenous sign language alongside the Auslan.

Happy Auslan Day!
13th April is a very special day for the Deaf Community – it’s Auslan Day. Auslan Day is celebrated on the 13th April each year.

The Language Tree is really excited to be sharing lots of free, fun Auslan sessions with Childcare Centres this year to celebrate Auslan Day to share more of this beautiful language with children and Educators - We'll share some photos this week 👋👍👏

Auslan is Australia’s main sign language. We never use capitals for ‘Auslan’ - it is not an acronym. (There are some other sign languages used in Australia - indigenous sign language used by our First Nations people and amongst our multicultural communities, many other sign languages and dialects).

Auslan Day celebrates the 'Auslan' language and the publication of the very first Auslan Dictionary.

Back in 1991, with the publication of the first Auslan Dictionary, it was the first time that the Auslan language was recognised as a community language in Australia.

So on the 13th April every year, we celebrate this beautiful sign language. Did you know;
• Auslan is a visual & spatial language. The method for Deaf communication.
• Auslan is the combined letters from 'three' words, Australian Sign Language rather than the first letter of each. A portmanteau - a blend!
• We use two hands for Auslan.
• On Auslan Day, we are also celebrating the Deaf community and its rich history and culture.
• ASL is not Auslan. It stands for 'A'merican 'S'ign 'L'anguage.
• Key Word Sign (formerly Makaton) is not a language. It's a communication tool that we use to aid spoken English. It borrows key signs from the Auslan language. Auslan is a language in its own right, with its own grammar and structure. It does not use speech.

Auslan is, and has become increasingly recognised as an incredibly practical and inclusive language. Communication that enables so many to engage 💛

Deaf Acknowledgement (LINK: https://vimeo.com/324866894?fbclid=IwY2xjawJnOBtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHpRc_T1WdnsKKigEuDKlB5yiHrCQzpa7YAm0VUTPtXfspCQFmdyTH15UKHZU_aem_YzjrqL58WXKc9kExrw-jdQ )

We acknowledge and respect the members of the deaf community in Australia who preserve their rich heritage, culture and our language; Auslan (Australian Sign Language). We also acknowledge our custodians of Auslan, promoting awareness, equality and access through our sign language. Through Auslan, we inspire future leaders in our deaf community to continue our legacy and heritage