Do you prefer to learn one-on-one?
Everyone's learning style is different and you may find learning in a one -on- one environment works well for you. One-on-one tutoring can also work well for people who have other commitments and who may not be able to make the days/times of the community classes.
You may want to learn some NZ Sign Language for a specific event or occasion and not commit to a full curriculum. We are flexible and can help you with that too.Obviously, we would love it if you would learn to sign fully, but starting to learn to sign for any reason is always a good place to start.
We can design a programme for you.
We can set up a program to suit you and your business needs. Usign has worked with many businesses to help their staff become more aware of how to interact with Deaf and hard of hearing. You may have staff or clients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
We can design a programme for you that will help your staff learn how to communicate well with them. The teacher can travel to your workplace and teach a class at a time that suits you and your staff. The teacher can adjust what is taught to include some information that is relevant to your business.
Learning NZSL is also great professional development for your staff..
Learn NZSL in the classroom or online.
You can learn NZSL in the classroom, small group lessons or private one on one tuition.
By learning NZSL in the classroom with a teacher you will:
- experience full body language, your signing space is 3D
- make new friends
- keep your brain active
The one on one tuition can be in person or on Zoom. These classes can be tailored to suit your needs and what you want to learn.
Frequently Asked Questions
To enter Level 1b you must have completed Level 1a. If you have not completed the previous level with me, I will need to assess your NZSL skills to ensure you can cope with the next level. If you attended previous levels with another teacher, I will need to see proof of your attendance. This is could be a certificate or letter from your previous teacher. The other option would be a one-to-one assessment for me to see your NZSL skills.
No. It’s the same as spoken languages, there are many throughout the world. While some countries may have similar signs, no two are exactly the same. For example, NZ Sign Language (NZSL) and Australian Sign Language (Auslan) are both based on British Sign Language (BSL) but there are differences.
It depends on the number of people who will be joining the private session. Generally, if it’s one person, it’s $40/hr. If there are 2 people, the cost is $35/person/hr etc.
It’s the same as any other language, just more visual. To ensure you succeed, you should regular attend all the classes in a term and complete the homework that is assigned each week.
It depends on the level. For Level 1a, the minimum number of students is 16. For other levels is can go down to 12 students.
Yes. It is important to learn from a qualified Deaf Teacher. A Deaf Teacher also teaches about the Deaf community and culture. Learning about the Deaf community and culture is an important part of learning NZSL.
Maybe not. Altogether I provide 12 levels of class over a 3-year period. Depending on demand, some classes will be repeated next term, but for my level 2 and 3 classes especially, it may only be offered once a year. For example, this year I am teaching Level 2a in Term 1 so most likely will not offer it again until Term 1 next year. To move up to the next level a student has to have attended 80% of the classes in a term or made arrangements with me to have private lessons to catch up.
I currently charge from $130 to $200 for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. Costs would be different depends on locations.
Yes. I have students as young as 12 or 13. If a student is 14 or younger, then a parent/guardian or older sibling must enrol in the class, and attend, with the young person. There needs to be a responsible adult with them in class.
I work with businesses and will usually require a 12-person minimum to run a private class. The more people there are, the cheaper the rate per person. If I am travelling to teach a class, there may be travel costs involved too. Please contact me so we can work out the best option for your business.
Still have questions?
If you have a question that you can't find the answer to,
please use that contact us page.
Learning New Zealand Sign Language with us is fun, & flexible. Our unique beautiful language courses are a comprehensive introduction for anybody who is interested in learning NZSL.