Montessori
Ever considered learning the Sign Language Alphabet? Well New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is now an official language in the schools curriculum, along side Maori and English.
Rachel Noble, Association Chief Executive has said: “It would be wonderful to see sign language become part of New Zealand society in the same way Maori has now by ensuring all children have access to it”.
For the first time, Sign Language recently became a day to day learning practice at Nova Montessori School in New Brighton. Teacher Judith Sivasubramaniam from Thailand stated that learning Sign Language is fundamental tool which helps children explore the skills of language learning.
“It leaves the children open when they find themselves in situations where they they need to communicate with someone who does not have spoken language, they are in a comfort zone” she stated.
Children as well as adults find the approach to learning Sign Language completely fresh to that of the spoken tongue. As opposed to training your tonal skills, learning the Sign Language alphabet helps develop skills to remember shape and position which ten-year-old Sonia Kumar found extremely fun: “It’s really cool how people who can’t talk or hear use their hands.”
As part of an existing trend to help students in New Zealand continue to move and understand the diversity of skills needed in society nowadays, it subsequently gives deaf people more opportunities in life to explore more professions and opens countless doors for sociability and communication in life.
As NZSL week national co-ordinator Angela Lindsa states: “This year’s aim was to raise public awareness and NZSL just gave deaf people a voice”.
Montessori
Source by Rob R Carmichael
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