00:09Today we're learning about emotions in Auslan.
00:13It's a hands-on approach to learning.
00:16Full Auslan voices off.
00:18Mount Rogers Primary School switched its language program from Mandarin to Auslan in 2024.
00:25Now every student from preschool to year 6 is learning to sign.
00:30What we're seeing in the playground is students signing with these deaf students who have no other access to language
00:37and very excited to do so.
00:39The school has 9 deaf and hard of hearing students including 11 year old Sophie.
00:45My first language wasn't actually English, it's Auslan.
00:49It's especially nice because I get A's.
00:51It's an increase in confidence with their signing, an increase in deaf pride.
00:59A lot of them are now very proud to identify as deaf.
01:04Auslan officially joined the New South Wales syllabus this year.
01:08But this is the only Canberra Public School to teach the language.
01:12You don't have to go overseas to really find a community that uses it.
01:17There's already the Australian deaf community that's here so you don't have to go on like some fancy holiday to
01:22France or Japan or something just to be able to use the Auslan.
01:25The program is constantly rewritten to keep up with the students rapid progress.
01:31As a visual language it's been a hit with less traditionally academic learners.
01:36We've gone from being able to sign new vocab only to actually being able to sign full sentences.
01:42Students have noticed other perks too.
01:44It's fun like communicating to your friends in Auslan when no voice.
01:51And like before the teachers knew it you could do it in class.
01:54But then most of the teachers know it now so can't do it in class.
01:58A sign of a more inclusive classroom and playground.
