Students and pupils from Communication Specialist College Doncaster and Doncaster School for the Deaf are urging people from across South Yorkshire to join Doncaster Deaf Trust’s free online British Sign Language course and start to learn to sign during the Easter break.
The course has already attracted more than 17,000 participants since it launched two years ago, and the Trust is keen to see more families, businesses and partners joining in and learning a new skill.
Alexis Johnson, executive principal of Doncaster Deaf Trust said: “It is fantastic for our pupils and students to know that an extra 17,000 people from across the country have been learning to sign thanks to our free course.
“This course is for everyone. It can be used by individuals, businesses, and families to learn the basics of communicating using sign.
“Now, thanks to people seeing Rose Ayling Ellis win Strictly Come Dancing and Deaf actor Troy Kotsur win an Oscar they are more aware of Sign Language and interested in learning.
“We’ve also been thrilled to see BSL used live for the first time in The House of Lords recently as peers backed a Bill giving the language legal recognition across Great Britain.”
The course covers basic signs including greetings, numbers, addressing people, travel and transport and hobbies.
Alexis added: “It is really simple to sign up and you can take part in the course at your own pace, doing a little each day and practicing as often as you can.
“Our thanks go to the National Lottery; without their funding this would not have been possible.
“Anyone wanting to share videos or photos of them practicing their new skills should tag Doncaster Deaf Trust social media pages in their posts.”
To sign up to the free course visit www.doncasterdeafsign.org.uk