Progression Point Examples in LOTE Pathway 1 (Sign language - Auslan)

Level 4

Communicating in a language other than English (Auslan version)

At Pathway 1 Level 4, students participate effectively in signed interactions to convey and receive information. In Sign language, students demonstrate single signs and simple signed sequences with attention to accuracy and fluency.

Students show awareness of the language and cultural requirements related to a given topic; they adapt sign and gesture appropriately for the role, audience and purpose of the discourse. They acquire and use new information and language, and build on previously learnt language skills and knowledge in new contexts. They initiate and lead communication and respond to communication initiated by others.

Students apply their knowledge of sign meanings, sign associations and cognates to their own work.

Students organise and apply grammatical information and knowledge of signs, undertake basic Internet searching to access Sign Bank, refer to sign dictionaries, video record themselves and use self-assessment on defined projects using the language.

• Students use simple signed texts and identify specific items of information, make choices, answer questions and relay information to other participants in a signed exchange. They convey personal or factual information in short, linked sequences. They engage effectively in exchanges to provide and obtain information about everyday activities. They use various information and communications technology applications for recording and conveying signed meaning.

Intercultural knowledge and language awareness (Auslan version)

At Pathway 1 Level 4, students apply relevant conversational rules and expectations; for example, those related to politeness. They demonstrate understanding of cultural differences in signing conventions for specific discourse forms by producing equivalent items in different contexts.

Students demonstrate effective reflection on their language learning by sharing a learning strategy they use successfully, or by evaluating and improving a strategy they have tried. They interact with members of the Auslan community as a means of extending their understanding of perspectives on the themes and topics studied in the classroom.

Students identify ways in which the language and culture has impacted on Australians and present information in signed presentations.

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Level 5

Communicating in a language other than English (Auslan version)

At Pathway 1 Level 5, students recall most of the main ideas, objects and details presented with a topic in the language. They use a range of strategies to assist in developing their expressive and receptive skills.

Students adapt language and gesture appropriately for the role, audience and purpose of the interaction, demonstrating awareness of the cultural and language requirements of a range of situations associated with the topics being studied.

Students participate effectively in interactions such as role-plays and conversations on simple topics. They create simple original text for specific audiences and purposes. They use register appropriately, understanding role shift and the importance of pragmatic features, such as size of signs.

Students critically review their own signing. They create drafts on video and present information in a range of text types.

• Students demonstrate understanding of authentic and modified signed texts, including discussions, presentations and conversations emphasising communication between two or more participants. They present and request information and opinions on curriculum topics and topics of interest in class discussions, presentations and conversations, and justify decisions, express personal views and provide advice. They effectively use information and communications technology applications for recording and communicating in signed language.

Intercultural knowledge and language awareness (Auslan version)

At Pathway 1 Level 5, students actively participate in the creation and maintenance of the language and cultural ambience in the classroom. They select, interpret and present knowledge about the language and its signers.

Students demonstrate understanding of aspects of receptive and expressive skills by using appropriate language and levels of respect in different circumstances, thus reflecting the relationship between the users of the language. They interact with a variety of Auslan signers, to gain understanding of diverse views and beliefs within and between these communities.

Students express their own views and values in relation to simple scenarios or propositions.

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Level 6

Communicating in a language other than English (Auslan version)

At Pathway 1 Level 6, students identify relevant information and ideas from signed texts. They spontaneously participate in interactions related to a specific topic, and employ insights from previous language learning in signed interactions.

Students effectively discriminate and use prosodic features, such as stress, intensity and inflection. They initiate and maintain interactions to give and receive information and impressions.

Students reproduce the main features of Auslan grammar in the language, and identify differences between English and other languages. They identify ways in which intentions and ideas are expressed. They communicate information in signed interactions and presentations, demonstrating careful consideration of the interlocutor’s needs, and sensitivity to cultural similarity and differences in meaning and intent.

Students deduce relationships, mood, attitudes and social context from visual stimuli. They identify characteristics in the individual style of signers in relation to the audiences and purposes for a particular text.

Students read texts and effectively extract main ideas and detailed information for use in new contexts.

• Students identify opinions, events, roles and themes in descriptive and informative signed texts, and present them in another format in order to provide personal reflection, a solution or a comparison. They synthesise and present information on topics of social and cultural importance in narratives, discussions and conversations in order to persuade an audience of a point of view. They use information and communications technology applications for research and recording and communicating in signed language.

Intercultural knowledge and language awareness (Auslan version)

At Pathway 1 Level 6, students demonstrate an awareness of the extent and limitations of the language through creation of realistic applications of knowledge and skills in a range of situations. They demonstrate knowledge of the effect of sign order and context on meaning.

Through accurate and context-sensitive language use, students demonstrate understanding of cultural influences on the ways people behave and use language. They use illustrative examples in the language to explain the differences and similarities between signers.

They demonstrate understanding of language as a complex system through strategies such as reflection, drafting, questioning linguistic relationships, observing and hypothesising. They test the validity of their understanding by referring to other users of Auslan, research and/or observation.

Students contribute to discussions about the general concept of culture, and the relationships between cultures, including the effects of migration and travel through signed presentations. They identify general cultural patterns that flow across specific settings and times. They recognise nuances in meaning and demonstrate an awareness of the dynamic nature of Auslan through the language and mannerisms they use in interactions in a range of cultural settings. They demonstrate an understanding of variations in cultural perspectives between signers in different settings by effectively interacting with members of the Deaf community.

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