How To Start Learning Auslan — First Steps Guide
Taking the first step into a new language can feel overwhelming, but knowing how to start learning Auslan does not have to be complicated. With the right approach, you can begin building your Australian Sign Language skills today, regardless of your age, background, or location. This guide focuses specifically on the very first steps so you can get started with confidence.
Learn the Auslan Fingerspelling Alphabet First
The fingerspelling alphabet is the perfect starting point for every Auslan learner. It gives you a tool to communicate any word, even before you have learned the proper sign for it. Auslan uses a two-handed alphabet, which means both hands work together to form each letter.
The vowels follow a simple pattern that serves as an excellent memory anchor. Each vowel corresponds to a different finger on your non-dominant hand: A is the index finger, E is the middle finger, I is the ring finger, O is the little finger, and U is the thumb. Your dominant hand points to or touches the appropriate finger. Once you learn this pattern, you have mastered five letters immediately.
Many consonants create shapes that visually resemble the printed letter, making them intuitive to learn. The letters C, D, L, and V are good examples of this visual correspondence. Others require memorisation, but breaking the alphabet into groups of three to five letters and practising each group over a few days makes the task manageable.
Practise the alphabet daily for the first two weeks. Fingerspell your name, your family members’ names, the names of objects around you, and words you see on signs and labels. Start slowly and focus on forming each letter clearly. Speed will come naturally with practice. Accurate fingerspelling is your backup for any moment when you do not know a sign, making it the most universally useful skill you can develop early. Pair your fingerspelling practice with learning the sign for name, which you will use every time you introduce yourself.
Your First 50 Auslan Signs
After the alphabet, focus on learning your first 50 signs. These should be high-frequency words that you can use in everyday conversations. Prioritising the most useful signs gives you immediate communicative ability and motivates further learning.
Greetings and social signs should be at the top of your list: hello, goodbye, please, thank you, sorry, yes, and no. These signs appear in virtually every interaction and demonstrate basic courtesy. The sign for hello is typically one of the first signs any learner masters.
Question words are essential for having conversations: who, what, where, when, why, and how. In Auslan, WH-questions are accompanied by furrowed eyebrows, while yes/no questions use raised eyebrows. Learning these non-manual features alongside the question signs is important, as they carry grammatical meaning.
Common verbs give you the ability to describe actions: want, need, like, go, come, eat, drink, work, learn, help, know, and understand. These verbs are the backbone of simple sentences and allow you to express basic needs and preferences.
Family and people terms help you talk about your life: mum, dad, brother, sister, friend, teacher, and child. Descriptive words round out your first 50: good, bad, big, small, happy, sad, hot, cold, and a few colour terms. With these 50 signs and the fingerspelling alphabet, you have enough Auslan to introduce yourself, ask basic questions, and participate in simple conversations.
Practice Makes Perfect
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Understanding Auslan Basics
As you learn your first signs, it helps to understand a few fundamental concepts about how Auslan works as a language. This understanding shapes how you approach learning and prevents common beginner mistakes.
Auslan is not a visual version of English. It has its own grammar that is distinct from English word order. In Auslan, topics often come first in a sentence, followed by a comment about the topic. For example, instead of “I am going to the shop,” you might sign “Shop, I go.” This topic-comment structure is a fundamental feature of Auslan grammar, and recognising it early helps you avoid the habit of signing in English word order.
Facial expressions are grammar in Auslan, not just decoration. Raised eyebrows mark yes/no questions, furrowed eyebrows mark WH-questions, and various mouth patterns modify the meaning of signs. A sign produced with a neutral face may convey a different meaning than the same sign produced with specific facial expressions. From your very first lesson, practise using appropriate facial expressions with every sign.
Auslan uses the space in front of you as a kind of three-dimensional stage. You can place people, objects, and concepts in specific locations in your signing space, then refer back to them throughout a conversation. This spatial grammar is unique to signed languages and takes time to develop, but being aware of it from the start helps you understand why signers use space the way they do.
Every sign has specific parameters: handshape, location (where the sign is made on or near the body), movement (how the hand moves), orientation (which way the palm faces), and non-manual features (facial expression and body movement). Changing any one of these parameters can change the meaning of a sign, so accuracy matters even at the beginner level.
Finding Your Learning Path
There are several pathways to learn Auslan, and the best one for you depends on your circumstances, learning style, and goals.
Formal courses through Deaf organisations, TAFE colleges, and community centres provide the most structured learning experience. These courses are taught in progression from beginner to advanced, typically by qualified Deaf instructors. If you have access to a local course, it is the recommended starting point for most learners. Check with organisations like Expression Australia, Deaf Connect, or your state Deaf society for course schedules and availability.
Online courses offer flexibility for learners in regional areas or with scheduling constraints. Live online classes via video conferencing provide real-time interaction with an instructor, while self-paced video courses allow you to study on your own schedule. Combining online classes with free resources like Auslan Signbank creates a comprehensive digital learning environment.
Self-directed learning using free online resources is viable, especially in the early stages. Use Auslan Signbank as your dictionary, watch Deaf-created content for language input, and seek out community practice opportunities. This path requires more discipline and self-motivation than a formal course, but it can be effective for dedicated learners who supplement with community engagement.
Regardless of which path you choose, community engagement with Deaf people is essential for progressing beyond the basics. Classroom learning provides structure and vocabulary, but real fluency develops through genuine interaction. Look for Deaf social events, coffee catch-ups, and community activities in your area. Signs like good and sorry get used constantly in these real-world settings.
Your First Week Action Plan
Here is a concrete plan for your first seven days of Auslan learning, designed to build momentum and establish productive habits from the start.
On days one and two, learn the fingerspelling alphabet. Spend 30 minutes each day practising all 26 letters, starting with the vowels and then working through consonant groups. By the end of day two, you should be able to fingerspell the entire alphabet from memory, even if slowly.
On days three and four, learn your first 15 to 20 signs. Focus on greetings (hello, goodbye, thank you, please), question words (what, where, who), and essential responses (yes, no, good, sorry). Look up each sign in Auslan Signbank, watch the video multiple times, and practise until the movement feels natural.
On day five, practise combining signs into simple sentences. Try introducing yourself: “Hello, my name is [fingerspell], nice to meet you.” Ask basic questions: “What is your name?” “Where do you live?” Use the signs you have learned in short, practical combinations.
On day six, watch 20 to 30 minutes of Deaf-created Auslan content online. Do not worry about understanding everything. Focus on getting your eyes accustomed to watching signing, noticing facial expressions, and recognising any signs you have already learned.
On day seven, review everything you have learned during the week. Fingerspell the alphabet three times, practise all your signs, and try to have a brief signed conversation with a study partner, family member, or even the mirror. Then research local Auslan courses and Deaf community events to plan your next steps. The most important thing is that you have started, and every day of practice from here builds on the foundation you have laid this week.
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