Bringing NZSL into the classroom
The young kiwi generation choosing and learning NZSL as an elective subject in secondary schools. This part expands about how you can support students learn NZSL and eventually, get qualification with NZSL.
Due to exposure of NZSL interpreters in the media, and more and more schools began to show interest in incorporating NZSL in their school activities and curriculum.
NZSL is now a school subject under National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) qualifications for senior secondary school students. The NZSL Curriculum was developed by experienced and skilled Deaf teachers in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
The curriculum currently follows the ‘traditional’ view that linguistic proficiency is based on reading, writing, listening and speaking. It is appropriate to recognise two additional skills, viewing (receptive skill) and presenting/performing (productive skill) to support the status of official languages, NZSL and Te Reo Māori. With NZSL in the NZ Curriculum, students will view the signer and watch NZSL videos, then learn to present information in NZSL. Students should be able to have meaningful interactions in real-life situations.
So, how to move forward to embrace NZSL in the classroom to appreciate the beauty and richeness of the language, and respects and honours the Deaf community? Here are some practical suggestions:
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Book a NZSL teacher (qualified through NZSL Teachers Association). This will ensure that the language and culture is respectfully taught.
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Join our NZSL for Teachers part 1 and part 2 crash online, move up to NZSL Beginner (Level 1), then NZSL Intermediate (Level 2) and finally NZSL Advanced (Level 3) online courses. Best learning would be physically attending NZSL Onsite courses in your hometown if available.
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Be knowledgeable about the different variations used in NZSL. There are differences in signs due to geographical history development of NZSL.
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Support Deaf-led businesses and their resources. Be aware of other websites not always using appropriate or correct resources. The best online NZSL interactive website is Learn NZSL.
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Participate in NZSL events, or local Deaf Clubs to keep up with your NZSL learning and meeting other NZSL users.
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Consider and get a Degree in NZSL & English Interpreting, or Deaf Studies at Auckland University of Technology.
BRIEF ABOUT NZSL NCEA
NZSL Teaching Curriculum is designed for trialling access to different areas of general knowledge and skills in relation to NZSL as well cultural aspects of the Deaf community.
- NZSL for NCEA levels 1 to 3
- all children including deaf and non-deaf and hearing students
- Available in early 2017 for school students
Quick Links
NZSL for Teachers Online courses
More detail about NZSL for Teachers crash online courses.
Explore about full block MySign NZSL Online courses.
Check out NZSL face to face class listing in local hometown.
Interactive website designed for self-directed learning with many NZSL videos.
In this article, Merge NZ offers suggestions embracing NZSL in the classroom. With your leadership team, or a group of colleagues, take a look at the list. Which suggestions are you in a position to do now? Which suggestions would you like to work towards in the future? What steps will you need to take the make this a reality? Contact us if you need any advice or support.