Last Wednesday we had our third Auslan video assessment. Basically we sit with a teacher (in this case, Ros), and they video record a signed conversation with us.

I made one idiotic mistake, a sign I learned in my first week at class. “late”. I’ve used this sign every week, multiple times a week. There’s simply no way to explain how stupid I feel for getting it wrong.

Instead of moving my finger towards me when lifting away from where my watch would be (if I wore one), I moved my finger away. Luckily it was the only mistake in the entire conversation.

The Monday previous to our assessment the class had learned some new things about spatial awareness, and emergency situations that were thrown in to the assessment. If I had been in class that day, I probably would have learned them too.

I consider myself to be a fairly cautious kinda guy. Fairly aware of my surroundings, first to lift my drink as a running child approaches, so that there won’t be a spill.

When Ian and I sat down to go over the video, obviously he pointed out the mistake. During the conversation I finger-spelt “drunk”, because I didn’t know the sign for it, so he showed me the sign. Ian seemed happy when I reacted properly to the surprises thrown in to the assessment, so all up I have a good feeling about it.

The only thing left now is to mark it properly, and give individual grades to things like non manual features, finger-spelling, movement, things like that.

Fingers crossed. I’m hoping to see some fives (out of five). Last time I was assessed I scored all-fours, some bordering on fives. I would really like to see that I’ve improved.

Today is the second-last day of my first term for TAFE, and I figured it was time to have a think about my progress so far.

The course consist of five modules, I think. The main Auslan module which is studied throughout the year on Monday and Wednesday nights. Then there are the smaller modules, which if I understand correctly, go for a term each.

The module for this term has been “Deaf Culture and Community”.

When I enrolled, I had no idea there would other things involved in the course, not that it matters.

Last Thursday we had to hand in our assignment for the Deaf Culture and Community module. Comparing what I wrote, to what other people presented in class, I don’t think I did real well. The interpreter, and other people I have shown my assignment to tell me that it is fine, and I’m worrying about nothing. All I know is that compared to the others, mine is crap.

Tomorrow is the Deaf Culture and Community test. Hopefully I don’t do as badly in that one.

I haven’t talked too much about the Auslan module itself, probably because I think I’m doing OK with it.

Some friends from class and I go to Deaf Club sometimes, and while most of it goes over my head, I still manage to have some basic conversations with people about my studies, work and my car. Not bad for eight weeks in to the course, I think.

I also attend Auslan socials, which are very enjoyable. There are a hand-full of people there that take the time to slow down, and repeat things for me. There are no words (or signs) to express just how thankful I am to those people.

The first test for the Auslan module is when we get back from TAFE holidays. The tests for this module are practical signing, and videotaped, so that our teacher can review them. I’m nervous, as I tend to freeze a bit, when I don’t understand something.

Changing the focus slightly, I’m enjoying the classes, the socials, and Deaf Club. I’ve always liked learning new languages, and Auslan is no different.

Being the sixth language that I’ve learned in my life, I’m no newcomer to new languages, but Auslan is highly contextual.

I like being ‘correct’ in my speech. I like using the right word for the right situation, and the high-context nature of Auslan is giving me a little trouble. One sign having many English counterparts is not easy to come to terms with, but right now I’m thinking in the wrong way. I need to adapt how I think about things.