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NSW Curriculum
NSW Education Standards Authority

K–10Auslan K–10 Syllabus

Record of changes
Implementation from 2026
Expand for detailed implementation advice

Content

Stage 4

Interacting in Auslan

Content is provided for:

  • Additional: students learning Auslan as an additional language
  • Prior learning/experience: students learning Auslan with knowledge and/or experience from in or outside the classroom
  • First: students learning Auslan as their first language.
Exchanging meaning in interactions
Additional
  • Exchange information about self, family, friends and interests with peers and teachers

  • Express feelings and preferences to peers and teachers

  • Distinguish between statements and questions

  • Ask and respond to familiar questions and directions

  • Plan events or activities with peers

Prior
  • Share information, opinions and ideas about current events, school and/or community experiences in a range of contexts

  • Plan and negotiate activities with peers and/or members of the community

First
  • Initiate and sustain spontaneous and/or planned interactions to share information, opinions and ideas about current events, school and/or community experiences

  • Participate in discussions and debates using extended interaction patterns

  • Negotiate plans and activities with peers and/or members of the Deaf community

Using features of Auslan to communicate
Additional
  • Use fingerspelling accurately in planned interactions

  • Produce single signs using accurate handshape, movement and location

  • Describe objects, animals or people using lexical adjectives and some size and shape specifier depicting signs

  • Depict the movement of people, animals and transportation using simple one-handed depicting verbs

  • Use plain verbs and indicating verbs modified for present referents

  • Explore the use of non-manual features in Auslan

  • Use non-manual features for negation and questions

  • Use simple constructed action and handling depicting signs to show the characteristics and/or actions of an animal or a person

  • Use simple clauses with some time marking

  • Recognise the path movement of a particular sign and identify signs associated with the major types of path movements

Prior
  • Use smooth and fluent fingerspelling in planned and spontaneous interactions

  • Use more complex sentence structures including conjoining clauses

  • Explore non-manual features and their relationship with clause types

  • Use non-manual features for negation, topicalisation or conditional forms

  • Use constructed action to represent multiple participants

  • Use indicating verbs, depicting signs, constructed action and a range of non-manual features to communicate

  • Set up and maintain referents in signing spaces to enhance cohesion

First
  • Fingerspell longer words and lexicalised words fluently and make appropriate adjustments to handshapes and movements

  • Use fingerspelling to introduce names or words to peers and/or make explicit the English word meant by a sign

  • Use backchannels and hesitations to communicate in informal conversations

  • Shift perspectives between character or observer space to show different viewpoints

  • Show understanding of iconicity by using literal signs and metaphors creatively

Applying Auslan protocols
Additional
  • Communicate clearly and appropriately with peers and teachers using protocols for classroom interactions

Prior
  • Engage in classroom and social interactions using a range of protocols

  • Use culturally appropriate forms of communication with different audiences

First
  • Use and respond appropriately to a range of protocols with members of the Deaf community

  • Use appropriate methods of communication in culturally specific settings and with different audiences

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