One of our amazing students, Vanessa Bell is studying NZ Sign Language Level 3 through Ko Taku Reo. We had a chat to her this week about her experience and wanting to spread the message to other students that hobbies can be learning too!

What prompted you to want to study NZSL?

I remember sitting down during lockdown and watching the TV and just being mesmerized with the people interpreting in the background. It was then that I started to realise how important knowing Sign language was and that was when I decided I want to learn.

Have you had to use sign language in everyday life?

I have. I used to work at the ReStore, and I would have some people who would wait for me so I could sign to them and have a conversation. I now work at a supermarket and we have regulars who are deaf, when I get the chance, I do sign to them. When I sign to them, I can instantly see them smile and be happy to sign back to me.

What are your goals for learning sign language?

I want to be able to help those who need it. I would love to be able to use it in any job I have in the future, weather that's becoming an interpreter, a teacher of Sign Language, or it's just another language I'm able to communicate in.

Are there particular things you need to be careful of/learn (palm shape, facial expression etc?)

You definitely need to be careful of your body position, like where you hold your hands when you sign and how you move when you are signing. Your facial expressions are crucial as well, as that is what helps get your perspective across. How you do your sign is something I need to be careful with too. Some people/places do signs differently compared to others, so you need to pay attention to that as well. One thing I found that is a crucial thing to know how to do, is the basic alphabet. Not every word has a sign, so you do need to fingerspell words, or is the person I was signing with didn't know what the sign was, by finger spelling it helps a lot. That came with practice, and learning how to spell words.

What is the difference between learning spoken English and NZSL?

One of the big things that stands out between spoken English and NZSL is that spoken English has a lot of fuller words, whereas NZSL is just straight to the point. With spoken English it's easier to explain opinions as you can just say 'sorry, I meant to say...', but with NZSL, you need to know what you're going to say before you start saying. Another thing that I found when I first started learning NZSL, is that a lot of people lip read so you need what you're going to sign before you start signing, so you know what your 'saying'. Plus is you look away even for a second you missed what they signed. But with spoken English you can look away and you still know what they said because you can hear them.

Are there any easy signs that you could to teach us?

See photos below for 'please', 'thank you', 'welcome' and 'toilet'.

What is a message you would like to get across to other students?

Just give whatever you want to try, give it ago. One of the reasons I started leaning NZSL is because I realised there are people out there who the everyday world isn't made for. So, every little thing you do or try can help others in ways we don't understand.

What does your study look like (how often, when, where do you do it? And what advice would you give other students/people wanting to do the same?)

When I first started, I would do afterschool classes out at Waimea Intermediate with Rachel as my teacher. At the time, I was not old enough but there are night classes too. I was then fortunate to get the choice of doing classes online with a New Zealand deaf organization called MERG. Where I did classes with different teachers for almost 4 years. In year 11, I was then accepted to do NZSL level 1 classes where I got credits for taking it like any other class. This year I was asked if I wanted to be part of the level 3 class and skip level 2. I was then put in the level 3 class which is what I do now. The classes are each 1 our long, and they happen 4 times a week, which happen here at school via correspondence with ZOOM classes. My advice is to see what sort of options are out there and just try it. It can be awkward when you first start, but when you try and just do it, the teachers are all happy to help and understand the challenges if you do it via correspondence instead of face to face. As it is a completely different feeling and atmosphere.

Wow, Vanessa - you are so inspiring, thank you for taking the time to spread the word about NZSL. For more information about Ko Taku Reo, visit www.kotakureo.school.nz