AUSLAN

BILINGUAL - BICULTURAL PROGRAM

At Klemzig we teach Deaf and hearing students through a bilingual / bicultural approach. The Teacher of the Deaf, who is highly skilled in Auslan, works with a mainstream teacher and ancillary staff to deliver the curriculum in both English and Auslan to Deaf and hearing students, allowing them to access the curriculum in their preferred language. Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is the language of the Deaf community in Australia . It is a recognised language in its own right with its own structure and grammar, not a code for English.

The bilingual /bicultural program follows similar philosophies to Sweden where the children are expected to be children first and live a rich and full life by being fully exposed to the same curriculum as hearing students. Children are encouraged to be children and parents to be parents rather than teachers.

The program allows Deaf students access to the wider curriculum. Through teacher’s raised expectations and through working alongside hearing role models, Deaf students have much higher levels of academic achievement (as well as social / emotional development).

State of the Art technology is used to support visual learning – interactive electronic whiteboards (Smartboards) allow teachers to use a range of visual effects to enhance their delivery of the curriculum. Support for students in the use of listening technologies includes cochlear implants, digital hearing aids and Frequency Modulated sound systems in classrooms.

All students in the school (150 hearing and 13 Deaf) learn Auslan. We are the only primary school in South Australia to do this. The hearing students quickly become fluent users of Auslan because of its relevance in the community and their immersion in it including daily communication with Deaf students and adults. There is a whole school culture of inclusion. All staff have a strong understanding of Deaf culture and most have some Auslan skills. Our school logo is a symbol of inclusion.

This program is unique in South Australia . Prior to its introduction in 1998 integration was limited and tokenistic. Relationships between Deaf and hearing students have progressed from mistrust and lack of acceptance to a state of total acceptance where Deaf and hearing children play competitive sport together, attend each other’s birthday parties and are best friends.

Hearing students, through their exposure to visual learning cues, including Auslan, are able to understand new concepts more quickly. Due to the total integration of Deaf and hearing students, our children develop a deeper understanding of difference. This culture of inclusion extends to all forms of difference including racial, physical, social and economic.

The Signing Choir supports our Auslan program. It provides a fun way to practice and perform Auslan. Students who are new have their confidence lifted by learning through repetition and find they can sign whole songs readily. The Deaf students have exposure to the latest songs their hearing peers listen to and deepens their understanding of hearing culture. It is high profile; nearly half of the school attend. It promotes Auslan in the community as the beautiful language it is. Each year our choir performs in the state wide School Music Festival and individual children perform the Nat ional Anthem solo each night. They have also had numerous television appearances.

The Auslan Early Learning Program is for preschool Deaf children and children from Deaf families. This program provides children with a strong foundation through Auslan and English before starting school, as well as social interaction with other students with whom they can communicate readily.

Other aspects of the bilingual program include Deaf Studies for all students, Instrumental Music for Deaf students, Auslan classes for parents and Auslan classes for staff.

Klemzig Primary provides students with the latest technologies to support student teaching and learning. We have invested in Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs) in each classroom. An IWB is an electronic, touch activated whiteboard, which when connected to a data projector and computer, becomes a powerful information and communications technology (ICT) tool. In the hands of skilled teachers IWBs add a new and exciting dimension to the teaching/learning process. Teachers have the capacity to dramatically enhance the use of ICT in all facets of school life, and in turn markedly improve the quality of teaching and in turn student learning. As the IWBs are activated by touch they are a simple to use but powerful medium for teaching and learning. IWBs enable students to interact with each other as well as the computer and readily access and manipulate all forms of digital information.