What Are the Different Types of Sign Language? Sign language is a fully developed visual language that uses hand movements, facial expressions and body language to communicate. It is primarily used by Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Are there different types of sign language? Despite common misconceptions, there isn’t a single, universal sign language. Instead, hundreds[…]
10 September 2025∙7 minutes to read
Learn the Australian Sign Language When people contemplate learning a new language, they often do so with the idea of boosting their career opportunities. Sometimes, people choose to learn a language because they are fascinated by the culture it represents. And those in the know want to expand their linguistic skills to derive all the[…]
24 February 2023∙7 minutes to read
In Australia, learning sign language usually means learning Auslan, the language used by the Australian Deaf community. Whether you want to communicate with Deaf friends or family, develop an inclusive professional skill or simply discover a visual language, lessons can introduce signing, facial expression, spatial grammar and everyday communication. Explore Auslan and sign language tutors across Australia or practise visually from home through online sign language lessons.
A common misconception is that sign language is simply English communicated with the hands. Auslan has its own vocabulary and grammar, and meaning can depend on handshape, movement, location, facial expression and the way signing space is used.
It is also worth remembering that sign languages are not universal. Auslan is different from American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL), so Australian learners should check which language a teacher actually uses.
Working with Auslan tutors in Sydney or taking sign language lessons in Melbourne can give beginners the chance to watch signs closely, practise them themselves and receive feedback on details that are difficult to learn from static diagrams alone.
People come to Auslan from very different starting points. A parent or relative may want to communicate more easily with a Deaf family member. Others encounter Auslan through education, disability services, healthcare or workplaces where better communication with Deaf people is valuable.
Some learners are simply interested in Deaf culture and want to communicate respectfully with members of the Deaf community.
With Auslan lessons in Brisbane, sessions might begin with introductions, fingerspelling and everyday vocabulary before moving towards longer exchanges. Learners looking for sign language tutors in Perth may instead want conversation practice or support alongside more formal Auslan study.
Because signing is visual, regular face-to-face or video practice can be especially useful for observing movement, expression and rhythm in real time.
When comparing teachers, pay attention to their connection with Auslan and the Deaf community as well as their teaching experience. Your priorities may differ depending on whether you’re a complete beginner, building conversational fluency or studying Auslan for professional reasons.
Learners in south-east Queensland can also explore sign language lessons around Southport.
On Superprof, you can compare tutors by their experience, availability, lesson format, teaching approach and the sign language they specialise in. Checking this last point is particularly important when browsing online profiles, where teachers may offer Auslan, ASL, BSL or another national sign language.
Learning Auslan is ultimately about communication, so lessons that combine vocabulary with real interaction can help signs become part of a usable visual language rather than a list to memorise.