How do i Become a deaf teacher or translator

[Ploppy1999]

Hi

I left school at 16 with mostly D's at GCSE i have been working in the restaurant trade for the past 14 years and just turned 30. I would like to change my career but don't know where to start. I would like to learn sign language and become a teacher but i don't know what i would need to get started. Any help or advice would be apreciated.

[bednobs]

do you have any qualifications in BSL? That might be a place to start - you can do them as evening classes. As regards to being a teacher, it's a 3 year university degree i'm afaid, but you will probably be able to do an access to teaching course (usually 1 year) first, as you don't have the necessary a levels.
On a practical note, there are only a few schools for the deaf around the country. If you do you access course, degree and BSL qualifications, are you in a position to move?

[LoftyLottie]

I have a friend who teaches BSL at a college. I beieve she teaches adults. She actually was older than you when she changed direction. I know she doesn't have a degree. Unfortunately, she is on holiday at the moment. I will ask her how she got into it and what training she had to undertake when she gets back.

[samak]

How do i Become a deaf teacher ?

Poke sticks in your ears :-)

[bednobs]

sorry, of course i was thinking of school children. I would guess teaching BSL to adults might be less ardurous training than getting a degree. If you were thinking of schools, also remember that a lot of schools for the deaf are residential (boarding schools)

[LoftyLottie]

Bednobs, I know that my friend visits schools too and gives talks on BSL and demonstrations and does help teach as well. I will find out. She isn't obviously employed as a teacher as such.

[sara3]

when I go away, I sincerely hope I don't give anything about the UK a second thought!

[sara3]

sorry, my post popped up on a thread I'd not even looked at!!

[Buenchico]

See here:
https://nextstep.dire...97/Pages/default.aspx

Chris

[LoftyLottie]

Thanks Chris. Obviously my friend got her qualifications through one of the routes on that link.

[Ratty2E]

You can learn British Sign Language as an adult education course, which is where I'd start, as you can be doing it while you continue with your current job. The one we have here is a 32 week, 2 hours a week. You might want to contact http://www.royaldeaf.org.uk/ they might be able to tell you what else you need to do and where you go from here. Good luck with it.

[Mosaic]

Aside from qualifying as a teacher, if you wereo learn BSL you could get good employment as a teaching assistant in a special needs school or school department. There are advantages and disadvantages to this choice, basically less marking / preparation vs lower pay than fully qualified teaching.

[Ploppy1999]

thank you all for some great advice, i currently cannot sign (well i can do the alphabet). I didn't enjoy school but i do wish i hd applied myself, and i'm willing to learn now.

[DTCwordfan]

Good on you ploppy

[Eve]

Why not look into local providers of BSL classes and ask their advice about learning and beyond?

I did part of a BSL course when I was at uni although couldn't finish it due to my degree commitments. I found it a huge help (as with any language) in communicating with deaf people and using sign language on a more day to day basis, it makes a massive difference. I used to do quite a bit of voluntary work generally so it came in very useful at times.

I picked up a lot just by doing some volunteering at a local deaf club and a lovely gentleman who lived locally where I studied who would often come in to where I worked locally, cafes etc... and chat (sign) away - it was great as some of the other staff would then pick things up and be able to communicate with him better.

I also did some residential volunteering with Winged Fellowship (now Vitalise) and helped one lady in particular who is deaf and blind. Obviously it is different signing (mostly on hand) but doing it on a day to day basis meant I got very quick, would even translate phonecalls for her etc...

Student tutoring could also be a possible - I assisted a blind student in mainstream schooling for a while on a voluntary basis as well as helping in the special needs unit with reading etc... in lunchbreaks. There may be an opportunity to help with a deaf student (maybe even in FE or at uni, taking notes and general support and assistance). This kind of work could also give a useful insight and skills for a teaching career.

Remember many deaf people are expert lip readers so you can communicate as you learn pretty well so, as long as you have the right attitude towards it, don't be put off until you feel you can sign to a certain level.

So look into local deaf clubs you could volunteer at and maybe organisations which run holidays for the deaf you could help at etc... It could make a big difference to how you progress.

I was part of a volunteering group who had all kinds of opportunities so maybe if you have a local one, they could help and maybe find opportunties for you.