In Auslan, there is a "left handed" and "right handed" way of signing. The hand you write with is your "dominant hand" (your writing hand) and should always be used to move. The other hand is your "blackboard hand". This explanation of your "dominant" and "blackboard" hand will be better understood by watching the video.

In this video the teacher shows you how to sign the Auslan alphabet as both a right and left handed signer.

You must not change between the two different ways when signing and this is explained more in the video "do's and don'ts of fingerspelling"

NOTE: In many schools there is a preference for Foundation children to learn Cued Articulation Alphabet. In our experience it is best to introduce the Auslan alphabet in term 4.

I was asked a question about when to introduce the Auslan alphabet when you first start teaching Auslan in the school. Here is my response:

"In Foundation l believe most teachers are using cued articulation lessons to teach children the English alphabet. When l was teaching Auslan LOTE the Foundation teachers preferred the Auslan alphabet to be taught in the 4th term.  

In grade 1, 2 and 3 we continued in the second year teaching the alphabet at the beginning as most children could spell reasonably well; things such as their siblings names, pet names for example.

With grades 4,5 and 6 l actually taught this at the very beginning of the term because they know the English alphabet and can spell quite well, including place names or footy / sport teams. From there, in the same lesson they would learn 'your name what?' / 'you live where?' and then build upon that with colours, animals, family and building up their A - B conversation (conversing with another person in Auslan)."

It is, however, completely up to you when you introduce the Auslan Alphabet to the children at your school as each class will be different .