Signwise is a specialist, Signature-accredited sign language provider based in Norwich. Signwise offers British Sign Language Level 1, 2 and 3 courses, practice groups and social events for signers of all ages and abilities.
WHAT IS BSL AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
British Sign Language (BSL) is a language primarily used by Deaf people to communicate without having to use their voices but instead with gestures, body language and facial expressions. In the UK, around 12 million people have some degree of hearing loss and around 87,000 of those people use BSL as their first or preferred language. It is also used by non-verbal individuals, friends and family of these people, and support workers, and anyone else!!
HOW DID WE START?
Jo Sandy, who has been teaching BSL since 2012, set up SignWise Tuition after a previous provider of BSL courses she worked for, stopped offering Certified Courses.
Growing up with high tone deafness, later leading to loss of her residual hearing, meant she was trying to find ways to cope. She found a BSL class and it was the first time she felt able to communicate with a group of people without a feeling of inferiority or constant anxiety of not being able to hear properly. It seemed a natural progression to go from learning to teaching, so after Level 2, she took a teaching qualification.
With the encouragement from her students, SignWise Tuition was created to offer them a chance to continue to study and gain a qualification, as well as Bringing Sign to Life by building a strong community through engaging social events.
MEET OUR TEAM
“BSL is important to me and it should be important to everyone. Even if you learn just the basics then not only can you communicate with Deaf BSL users, you can ensure that that BSL user doesn’t miss out and feel excluded. Here at Sign Wise Tuition we create a learning environment that is both educational and fun.”
“BSL is such a beautiful language to learn! For me it is important to learn BSL to promote inclusivity and to bridge communication gaps between hearing people and the Deaf community. I would recommend SignWise Tuition as you won’t find a better tutor than Jo – she truly is an inspiration!”
“I recommend SW because they offer so much more than just classroom learning: SignWise provides additional practice sessions, workshops and social events to actively encourage practical use of your learned skills in a fun and informal way, with deaf and hearing, all ages and all levels, and the opportunity and encouragement to engage with the vibrant and welcoming deaf community.”
“BSL is important to me because being a Child Of a Deaf Adult (CODA) means BSL has always been a core part of my life and I couldn’t imagine life without it. I believe BSL is important because lack of inclusivity and awareness is a huge problem but by teaching BSL, that can be changed.”
To register your interest, or to get in touch, please click here!
SignWise Tuition 