How to learn Auslan: a step-by-step plan for beginners

1. Decide why you are learning

Your reason decides what kind of learning you need. A parent whose child will grow up signing needs regular, structured teaching. Someone who wants to greet a Deaf colleague can start with a short community course. Someone who wants to become an interpreter needs an accredited qualification. Knowing which one you are saves you from paying for the wrong course. Our guide to Auslan courses and classes explains what each option is for.

2. Join a class taught by a Deaf teacher

This is the most important step. A Deaf teacher can watch you sign and tell you what you are getting wrong, which no video or app can do. They also teach the culture and etiquette that belong with the language.

Deaf community organisations are the usual place to start. Deaf Connect runs beginner classes with Deaf trainers, in person and as guided online classes. Expression Australia runs Auslan Beginner 101, an introductory course taught by a Deaf teacher or a member of the Deaf community, with an online version of six 90-minute sessions. If you want a qualification, TAFEs in several states offer a Certificate II in Auslan, with higher levels after that.

3. Learn the fingerspelling alphabet early

Auslan uses a two-handed alphabet, which you will use for names, places and any word you don’t know the sign for yet. Learning it early means you are never completely stuck. Start with the Auslan alphabet, then practise by fingerspelling your own name.

4. Build your first vocabulary from video

Learn everyday signs from video of Deaf signers rather than from written descriptions or drawings. Auslan carries meaning in movement, where a sign is made, and facial expression, and a still picture can’t show those. Our list of basic Auslan signs covers what to learn first. The free Auslan Signbank dictionary has videos of Deaf people signing each entry, so you can check a sign you are unsure of.

5. Practise a little every day

Most learners who give up do so between classes, when a week goes by without signing and the new vocabulary fades. Ten minutes a day works better than an hour once a week. Our guide to practising Auslan between classes has specific routines. This is also the job an app does well: an Auslan app can keep daily practice going between lessons, even though it cannot replace them.

6. Spend time with the Deaf community

Following signing at natural speed is the hardest skill for most learners, and it only comes from watching and talking with real signers. Ask your teacher about community events, social nights and Deaf-run activities that welcome learners. Go to listen and learn, and let the community set the pace. Learning where Auslan came from and marking Auslan Day are good ways to understand the community whose language you are learning.

Mistakes that slow beginners down

• Learning ASL by accident. Much of the sign language content online is American Sign Language, which is a different language from Auslan. Check that a resource is Australian before you use it.
• Signing English word order. Auslan has its own grammar, and Signed English is not Auslan.
• Relying on self-study alone. Videos and apps can’t tell you when your signing is unclear. Only a person can.

Our full list of common beginner mistakes covers more. If you are wondering how long all of this takes, see how long it takes to learn Auslan, and if cost is the question, our guide to free Auslan resources covers what you can do without paying.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to learn Auslan?

Take a class taught by a Deaf teacher, practise a little every day between lessons, and spend time with the Deaf community. The class gives you correction and culture, daily practice keeps what you learn from fading, and the community is where you learn to follow real conversations.

Can I teach myself Auslan?

You can make a real start on your own: the fingerspelling alphabet, everyday signs and some basic grammar can all be learned from video of Deaf signers. You cannot become fluent on your own, because self-study cannot tell you when your signing is unclear. Use self-study to begin and to practise between classes, not instead of them.

Where can I learn Auslan in Australia?

Start with your state's Deaf community organisation. Deaf Connect runs beginner classes and a self-paced online course, and Expression Australia runs beginner courses in Victoria and Tasmania as well as online. For an accredited qualification, TAFEs in several states offer a Certificate II in Auslan and higher levels.

Can I learn Auslan online?

Yes. Deaf Connect and Expression Australia both run live online beginner classes with Deaf teachers, which give you feedback on your signing over video. Self-paced video courses and apps are useful for extra practice, but a live class is the online option that can correct you.

Sources and further reading

The factual claims in this guide were checked against the following community, government and research sources.

• Beginner Auslan classes — Deaf Connect
• Auslan Beginner 101: Online — Expression Australia
• How and where can I learn Auslan? — Aussie Deaf Kids
• Certificate II in Auslan — TAFE NSW
• Auslan Signbank — Auslan Signbank

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