We have just appointed Janine Campbell as our new NZSL teacher. Janine has over two decades experience in Deaf Education and is looking forwarding to connecting to learners across the motu through Kōtui Ako VLN. We are expecting to  bring these classes online by Week 3 Term 3. 

Students can participate in small groups in mixed school classes, or with their classroom teacher as a 'whole class'. 

(There is a cost to participation. Membership for schools new to Kōtui Ako VLN will be waived if joining in 2023.)

If you have students interested in learning NZSL leave your details here. 

These classes are suitable for all ākonga, younger tamariki would need support to participate.

"Sign language is a combination of hand shapes, facial expressions and body movements.

New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is the natural language of the Deaf community in New Zealand; so it reflects the country’s culture by including signs for Māori concepts which can not be found in other sign languages or countries.

As one of the country’s official languages, more than 24,000 New Zealanders use NZSL daily. It is also the 12th most frequently used language out of approximately 190 languages currently used in New Zealand" (Deaf Aotearoa NZ) 

Halfmoon Bay School ākonga in their online NZSL class during Covid.