The aims of New Zealand Sign Language in the New Zealand Curriculum
General aims
The general aims for language teaching and learning reflect those stated in Te Whāriki and The New Zealand Curriculum Framework.
The aims are to:
- promote and encourage the learning of NZSL and Deaf culture from the earliest practicable age
- promote and use NZSL in a range of contexts
- make learning opportunities in NZSL accessible to all learners
- collaborate with community members in programmes that are responsive to Deaf community needs and initiatives
- affirm ties with Deaf communities throughout New Zealand
- enable learners whose first language is NZSL to develop and learn their language within the national curriculum framework.
Specific aims
Learners of NZSL will:
- develop an understanding of NZSL and Deaf culture in the New Zealand context
- develop communication skills for a range of purposes
- discover ways to be creative and expressive in NZSL
- establish a rapport with users of NZSL, including those they meet through their contact with the Deaf community.
As they progress towards more advanced levels, learners will:
- develop an understanding of the functions, structures, and conventions of NZSL and learn how the language varies according to audience and purpose
- respond personally to, and think critically about, a range of texts signed in NZSL
- extend their understanding of NZSL to enable them to process and communicate information
- extend their understanding of New Zealand as a country with diverse linguistic patterns and cultural perspectives
- extend their understanding of Deaf culture in national and international contexts
- acquire skills that may be extended in other learning areas
- develop a sense of identity in relation to the Deaf community and other NZSL users.
Learners will be able to use NZSL for a range of post-school options, including employment, training, and higher education, and in a range of situations, including those within the family and community.