NZSL L3 Sign List

The Vocabulary List indicates the expected proficiency level at Level 3. The list is intended as a guide and is not exhaustive. As students engage in internal assessments, they are encouraged to use signs beyond those included in the list where appropriate.

The Vocabulary List indicates the expected proficiency level at Level 3. The list is intended as a guide and is not exhaustive. As students engage in internal assessments, they are encouraged to use signs beyond those included in the list where appropriate.

[ Heading ]

How to use this resource

Links to the NZSL Level 3 Vocabulary List agreed signs can be found on this page.

Open the relevant section on this page to find the sign you are looking for and click on the word entry to be taken to a video showing the relevant sign in action.

 

Below is a document that contains a glossary of the Vocabulary List signs as well as a tab showing categories these signs could be put into.

Links to the NZSL Level 3 Vocabulary List agreed signs can be found on this page.

Open the relevant section on this page to find the sign you are looking for and click on the word entry to be taken to a video showing the relevant sign in action.

 

Below is a document that contains a glossary of the Vocabulary List signs as well as a tab showing categories these signs could be put into.

[ File Resource ]

  • Title: NZSL L3 Vocabulary List glossary and Categories
  • Description: List of the Level 3 Vocabulary List signs and categories they can fall into
  • File URL: https://ncea-live-3-storagestack-53q-assetstorages3bucket-2o21xte0r81u.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2026-07/NZSL%20Level%203%20Sign%20List%20%26%20Categories%20%282%29.xlsx?VersionId=2lCrd7JqSsNkrKYXg_8DsnKDGyt.WKd6
  • File Extension: xlsx
  • File Size: 59KB

Download
Download

NZSL L3 Vocabulary List glossary and Categories

List of the Level 3 Vocabulary List signs and categories they can fall into
List of the Level 3 Vocabulary List signs and categories they can fall into
[ Heading ]

Signs beginning with A-B

[ Accordion ]
AccommodationAct (as in NZSL Act)Activist
AdaptationAdvocateAlternative
Analysis, ResearchApartmentArticle (as in legal documents)
Article (as in media)Artificial Intelligence (AI)Assume, Assumption
AtmosphereAuthorityAutomatic

 

[ Heading ]

Signs beginning with C-E

[ Accordion ]
CarbonCarbon footprintCitizenship
ClimateCODACollapse
ConsequenceConservationCourt, Justice
CrisisCritical thinkingCross-culture
Cyber security  
[ Accordion ]
Deaf gainDeafhoodDepend, Dependence
Discrimination, DiscriminateDivide
[ Accordion ]
Election, VoteElectricEmissions
EmpowerEmpowermentEnvironment
EthicsEvaluateEvolution
Extreme, Wow  
[ Heading ]

Signs beginning with F-M

[ Accordion ]
[ Accordion ]
GayGenderGeneration gap
Generation, Tradition, TraditionalGlobal
Global warmingGovernment 
[ Accordion ]
[ Accordion ]
InclusionIndigenous (version 1)Indigenous (version 2)
IndividualInfluenceInfrastructure
Intersectionality  
[ Accordion ]
[ Accordion ]
ManagementMarginalisation
MarriedMinority
[ Heading ]

Signs beginning with N-R

[ Accordion ]
[ Accordion ]
OnlineOppressionOralism
[ Accordion ]
ParliamentPolicyPolitical
PollutionPossible, PossibilityPoverty, Poor
Predict, PredictionProbable, ProbablyProud
[ Accordion ]
Rainbow communityReferenceReject
RentRepresentationResilience
RightsRobot 
[ Heading ]

Signs beginning with S-Z

[ Accordion ]
SafeSaveScarcity
Sea-level riseSexualitySociety
Socioeconomic statusStereotypesStrategy
SurviveSystem, Systemic 
[ Accordion ]
TechnologyTension
Total CommunicationTransformation
[ Accordion ]
[ Heading ]

Acknowledgements

The NCEA Level 3 Vocabulary List for NZSL references sign videos from the NZSL Online Dictionary (https://www.nzsl.nz). These materials are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

The NCEA Level 3 Vocabulary List for NZSL references sign videos from the NZSL Online Dictionary (https://www.nzsl.nz). These materials are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.