Unit of competency

Modification History

Not applicable.

Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to communicate in Auslan fluently and spontaneously across a wide range of subjects. Communication may take place in any situation including personal, public, social, employment and educational domains.

This unit aligns to an adaptation, for sign languages, of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), CI: Proficient User.

This is an Auslan signer who can:

• understand a wide range of demanding, long texts, and recognise implicit meaning
• express him or herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions
• use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes
• produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Languages other than English - Auslan

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency

Unit Mapping Information

No equivalent unit

Links

Companion Volume Implementation Guide - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=bebbece7-ff48-4d2c-8876-405679019623

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Not applicable.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, and:

• watch two different recorded demanding Auslan texts, including some non-standard usage, about abstract complex subjects and, for each text, identify the finer points of the discussion and signer’s attitude
• watch two different live conversations between proficient or native signers about abstract complex subjects and, for each conversation, describe the overall content and three points raised
• produce two different prepared Auslan texts which contain vocabulary of an abstract nature, including idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms, to provide information about abstract complex subjects involving opinions and options:

• participate in one Auslan exchange to deliver one of the prepared texts simultaneously to two other signers, lasting for a maximum of ten minutes
• participate in one different Auslan exchange to simultaneously deliver the other prepared text to four other signers, lasting for a maximum of ten minutes

• participate in one abstract complex spontaneous Auslan exchange with one other signer lasting for a maximum of ten minutes
• participate in one different abstract complex spontaneous Auslan exchange with four other signers simultaneously, lasting for a maximum of ten minutes
• during the above two spontaneous exchanges, engage in conversation about a range of abstract complex topics
• during all of the above exchanges:

• cumulatively use the range of Auslan linguistic features listed in Knowledge Evidence, with consistency and flexibility
• comprehend and produce Auslan texts delivered at a conversational pace
• use fingerspelling appropriately in conversation, produce technical and specialised words smoothly almost all the time and vary fingerspelling speed
• show interactional strategies such as nodding, responding signs (back channels) and facial expression to show interest, attention and attitude
• vary signing speed and style
• produce and comprehend vocabulary that is specialised or includes colloquialisms
• modify the register
• produce depicting signs near or with other complex features of Auslan such as role shift (constructed action) and gesture
• recognise both obvious and less obvious opportunities for role shift (constructed action) independently
• use some body partitioning so that two roles can be represented at once
• use space to distinguish people, places or ideas in the signing space
• keep track of a few referents in space and refer back to them
• use pronouns effectively
• produce texts which are cohesive overall, and incorporate role shifting and depicting signs when appropriate
• show limited inappropriate influence from English (word order and mouthing) when using Auslan.

During all exchanges, the individual can:

• ask the signer to repeat signed text once, twice when fingerspelling is involved
• show idiosyncrasies in sign production but only those that do not obscure the meaning
• pause, hesitate and repeat features but only rarely
• rely on fingerspelling of English words, some gestures, and other visual communication methods to communicate but only rarely.

Knowledge Evidence

Knowledge of Auslan linguistic features required to converse in Auslan at a proficient user level, as described in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

• Auslan signs:

• a broad range of Auslan signs including technical, idiomatic and colloquial signs

• fingerspelling:

• how it is processed, produced and conventionally used by proficient signers
• patterns to assist with processing
• technical and specialised words used in highly complex interactions
• a range of fingerspelled words used by signers who use other styles and dialects

• numbers:

• common signs that incorporate numbers (IN-40-YEARS etc.) and the variable conventions for different forms of signs

• time, tense and aspect:

• timelines used in complex forms; deictic, anaphoric, and sequence timelines and how to use these flexibly
• how to modify a broad range of verbs for most forms of aspect
• how to work out time from both context and signs

• depicting signs:

• a broad range of entity depicting signs for objects with complex locations and movements
• a broad range of handling depicting signs for objects of most shapes with a range of movements such as giving, putting, touching and taking
• size and shape specifiers (SASSes) for a broad range of objects with two and three dimensional shapes
• how to use enactment instead of depicting signs
• how to show complex spatial arrangements and depictions

• role shift (constructed action):

• features of role shift (constructed action) used by proficient users of Auslan:

• using expressions more, rather than relying on shifting body to make character clear
• using body partitioning so that two roles can be represented at once

• use of space:

• indexing for pronouns or locations for cohesion across whole narratives
• how to flexibly modify a broad range of indicating verbs for actor and undergoer across sentences.

• sentence structure and cohesion:

• how to structure statements in the affirmative or negative using various word orders, appropriate verbs and NMFs
• a variety of sentence types and structures using topicalisation, imperatives, conditionals using signs (IF, SUPPOSE etc.), a broad range of conjunctions, list buoys for complex lists and NMFs
• NMF markers that show a shift and a pause
• how to form rhetorical questions including correct use of NMFs

• discourse management:

• how to choose and vary signs, phrasing and visual communication methods to match the topic and setting of the discourse, and according to the Auslan proficiency of other participants
• discourse markers
• methods used to manage turn-taking, politeness, feedback and clarification throughout the discourse.

Assessment Conditions

Auslan skills can be demonstrated:

• face-to face or via electronic media
• via filmed media.

Rooms used for assessment must be sufficiently quiet and have appropriate lighting and seating configuration to allow optimum visual and aural access for Auslan exchanges.

Assessment must ensure use of:

• recorded demanding Auslan texts, including some non-standard usage, about abstract complex subjects
• proficient Deaf signers who participate in Auslan exchanges.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations requirements for assessors, and hold a qualification or Statement of Attainment which includes the unit PSPLAN012 Converse in Auslan at a proficient user level or demonstrate competency equivalent to that unit, and provide evidence of at least five years’ experience in interacting with the Deaf community.

Links

Companion Volume Implementation Guide - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=bebbece7-ff48-4d2c-8876-405679019623