NSW will introduce its first Australian Sign Language program next year, so students can study it as a first or second language.
It will be available for students in grades K-10 and aims to help them gain knowledge and understand the diversity of the Deaf community and understand the relationship between language and culture.
“New South Wales offers one of the most comprehensive school language programs in the world, and I am committed to exploring how we can make it even better, including for students with disabilities,” said Minister of Education, Sarah Mitchell.
Strathfield High School students are Auslan usersCredit:Rhett Wyman
“I am happy to see Auslan included in the program for the first time, not only because it is a great step for inclusion and students with disabilities, but because it gives all students the opportunity to experience a part unique in the linguistic history of Australia.”
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In Years 9 and 10, Auslan students will critically evaluate Auslan texts, explaining how techniques are used to different effects. They will also create their texts, such will interpret the cultural aspects of the language.
When the curriculum is released, all schools will be able to teach Auslan. “We expect more teachers to be trained in the language and we expect to see an increase in demand from universities and tertiary service providers offering the training,” a spokeswoman for Ms Mitchell said.
After publishing draft new syllabi for Years 3-10 in English and Maths on Friday, the NSW Education Standards Authority released a new language syllabus for consultation on Saturday.
Classical and modern language curricula were redeveloped as frameworks that could be applied to any language, which Ms Mitchell said would allow more schools to teach the languages of local communities.
