New Zealand Sign Language Week
After the success of the inaugural NZSL Week held on May 8th – May 14th 2007, the NZSL week is here to stay!
2008: Monday 5 May to Sunday 11 May 2008
2009:
This week provides an excellent opportunity to raise the profile and recognition of our language, New Zealand Sign Language.
For more information about the NZSL Week, please take a look at the Deaf Association of New Zealand NZSL week website: www.nzsign.co.nz
To celebrate NZSL week, and with our aim to raise awareness of NZSL in mind, NZSLTA along with the Deaf Association organised taster classes right across New Zealand.
Now, what are taster classes? They're 45-minute long sessions, taught by experienced NZSL tutors. This is not to be missed, with hundreds of people signing up to learn some basic NZSL.
"Thank you. I found this 45 min class very funny and easy to learn!"
"It has definitely increased my interest, knowledge and understanding of NZSL"
"That was totally fabulous. Excellent teaching"
"Thanks! I love NZSL"
"It was really exciting to learn sign language. I wish the time was longer than 45 mins"
There were numerous events held around the country to celebrate and promote NZSL. During the week, there were events like a NZSL concert in Hawkes Bay, NZSL karoke in Palmerston North and a Silent Pub Crawl in Wellington. Thousands of fingerspelling cards and posters were distributed. Deaf people featured in the media and a step was made to raise the profile of NZSL, that it is our 3rd official language.
Silent Camp