Zahra from Deaf Signs tells us about her BSL training business (BSL)

Hello, my name is Zahra.  I am a qualified BSL Teacher and trainee Intralingual Interpreter based in Hertfordshire in the South of the UK.

I am profoundly Deaf.  My parents are Deaf and I am 3rd generation within my family.  We are a strong BSL family and my communication preference is BSL.

I set up Deaf Signs 3 years ago.  I have been a qualified teacher for over 16 years and I am passionate about inspiring people to learn BSL and helping them to achieve their goals.

I have worked in many organisations before, and I felt that it was the right time to be an independent centre, so that I could have more control over how my courses are delivered and make sure that the quality of the courses and BSL teaching is of the highest level.

I felt that there was a lack of representation within teaching, as a person of colour and as a mixed-race Indian / English person, I felt it was important to be part of that change.  I want to encourage Deaf and Hearing communities of all backgrounds to come together and improve accessibility for the Deaf community.

There were lots of barriers faced when setting up my business, usually, all of these are linked to barriers that Deaf people face every day with communication.  There aren’t enough Deaf role models and, even now, there isn’t enough support for the Deaf community. Especially with things like completing official forms to register my business – these can be confusing.

I overcame these barriers by taking my time and being patient with myself.  I also asked for advice from friends and family who have set up businesses, don’t be afraid to ask for support!

I was inspired to set up Deaf Signs as I often get feedback from students that their BSL learning experience was disappointing, quite often some new students are being taught old or wrong signs.

I feel that it is better to learn BSL through Deaf teachers, as opposed to hearing to make sure that the student has full Deaf awareness and gains confidence in communicating with a Deaf person.

I am committed to making sure that every student learns a good quality of BSL and leaves each course feeling confident to use it. Hearing professionals have previously dominated the space of teaching BSL and I feel that it is time for Deaf teachers to reclaim their language.

Our language has been oppressed for years and it’s important to share that history and culture so that hearing students can appreciate the language they are acquiring.

Currently, there does not seem to be enough BSL teachers,  I would like to expand my team of teachers but I can’t seem to recruit qualified tutors in my area.  It would be great to see more Deaf BSL Teachers get qualified.

I feel that most BSL Teachers are passionate about teaching good BSL to their students, although the quality of teaching can vary, I think we all want our students to achieve good results.

I think it can be very difficult for new parents of Deaf children to learn sign language.  Firstly, there is a lot of different and conflicting information out there, depending on who you talk to or what area you live in.  Most new parents have to be very proactive in seeking help and support and some just don’t know how to get started.  When you add to that the time commitment and costs involved, it can be overwhelming for a new parent.

I honestly think that the cost of learning will often put people off getting started, they may have doubts about whether they will be able to do it, so they put it off, waiting for the “right time”.  Every week I have people say to me “I’d love to learn BSL”, but most never take that first step!

I am very lucky to have great students and I have always received very positive feedback from them and the organisations that I have worked in before. I am proud that I have a 100% pass rate for all our Level 1 students for 2022/2023.

My work is immensely fulfilling.  To see people come into class with no sign experience and no experience within the Deaf community and see them develop their skills in BSL is wonderful.

Knowing that they can take these skills and make a difference, however small, within their Deaf communities is so motivating.

I have so many memorable experiences from working within schools to empower Deaf children and their families to work with first-time students, that with me, have gone on to be fully qualified interpreters, making a real impact within the Deaf community.  I know that every small step we make in class can have a positive impact on the Deaf community.

For both Deaf and hearing communities learning BSL is very important.  BSL is our language, it’s rich visual and beautiful, we want to share that far and wide and include as many people as possible.

Learning BSL can open up so many opportunities to make new friends, the Deaf community is very fun and engaging, and different work options, the possibilities are endless, but at the heart of this, opening up communications and making connections is the number 1 aim.

Sign Language Awareness Week is important to raise understanding of sign language and help to challenge old-fashioned beliefs and misconceptions about sign language, this is important so that we can protect our language as it inevitably evolves.

Many people are not aware that the Deaf community is as big as it is and how proud of our culture we are.  Our language opens barriers and enables people to communicate without speech from babies to seniors.

For anyone who wants to become a BSL teacher, just go for it. Ask a Deaf teacher for advice and do not give up on your dream.  You can do it! Challenge yourself and develop your skills and understanding, you will learn as much from your students as they will from you, and it’s a wonderful journey that can build lifetime friendships.

For anyone nervous about learning BSL, I would say, give it a go! you don’t know until you try.  There will be skills you will learn that you never thought possible and meet wonderful new friends.  It should be fun! Go with an open heart, with a willingness to learn and make mistakes, you will have so much fun.

You can find out more about Deaf Signs here.