Introduction to Sign Language offers students the unique and fun experience of learning how to communicate visually using sign language.

Sign Language courses are for people who:

• Want to be introduced to Sign Language and Deaf culture
• Want a short course at a relaxed pace
• Want to attend classes within their local area
• Are managers, employers, teachers, health professionals, friends, and colleagues of Deaf people
• Are interested in working with Deaf people

Course Outline:

By the end of Introduction to Sign Language, students will be able to:

• Extend a warm welcome to others and present yourself
• Utilise finger spelling
• Practice counting
• Pose and respond to basic inquiries employing ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘when’, ‘where’ and similar constructs
• Convey essential vocabulary, encompassing colours, days of the week, and family connections
• Articulate consensus or dissent
• Apply visual-gestural methods of communication
• Recognize the Deaf Community
• Elaborate on effective approaches to communicating with individuals who are deaf

Important Information:

• Minimum age for this course is 16 years
• No pre-requisites required

What to Bring:

• Pen and paper, in case you wish to take additional notes.
• This is a 8 week course. No prerequisite.

About the tutor:

'My name is Belinda Doonan. I was told that it is possible that I was born with 25% hearing loss while my mother had German measles when she was pregnant. Then I was diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of 4.

I went to a deaf school from year 6 until high school. I learnt sign language and was able to communicate with other deaf students and friends. My husband is also deaf but he grew up as an oral which means learning to speak and lipread and he knows a little bit of Auslan.

Now, I have performed at Cherry Tree Childcare for the last 8 years, teaching kids basic Sign skills. Eventually will perform at other childcare centres. I love it! I am excited to teach you some basic Sign skills here, if you have any questions or are curious, please ask me at any time…….

Let’s start….'

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.