LOTE Change for 2026

AUSLAN

LOTE (Language Other Than English)

In consultation with staff and our School Board, we have decided to transition from Italian to Auslan in 2026 as
part of the LOTE curriculum for Years 3 to 6. We are very excited about this change.

What is Auslan?
AUSLAN (Australian Sign Language) is the native, natural and distinct visual-spatial language of the Australian Deaf Community. It uses hand shapes, gestures, facial expressions and body movement to communicate, with it's own grammar and vocabulary unrelated to English. It evolved from British Sign Language (BSL) and is recognised as a community language in Australia.

Key features of AUSLAN include

• Distinct Grammar: It is not signed English; it uses a topic-comment structure and is not based on English syntax.
• Two-Handed: Uses a two-handed alphabet and signs.
• Dialects: Primarily exists in Northern and Southern dialects.
• Learning: Courses are available through TAFEs (e.g., Melbourne Polytechnic) and community organizations like Deaf Connect.
• Resources: Auslan Signbank provides a dictionary and video examples of signs.