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