British Sign Language Courses

Not quite what you're looking for? If you want to book a course or training for your organisation, you can find out more here.

Meet our Staff

Jonathan Slack - BSL Teacher

"I’m a qualified teacher, assessor and internal verifier and have been teaching for many, many years at a range of different places. I’ve had experience teaching British Sign Language Levels 1 – 6, as well as courses focussing on Deaf Awareness, Communication Methods and Deaf Culture. I really enjoy teaching and I believe communication is so important to help members of the Deaf and hearing communities understand and connect with each other – that is why I am so passionate about sharing BSL. I love helping hearing people understand more about Deaf people and their culture so we can breakdown those communication barriers and I try to ensure my lessons are also fun, encouraging and enjoyable, with a bit of Deaf humour thrown in!"
Email: jonathanslack@manchesterdeafcentre.com

Anita Kanji - BSL Teacher

"I am a deaf tutor for BSL. I have been teaching BSL for the last 20 years in a number of
different places. I became a qualified teacher (PGCE) in 2015."
Email: anitakanji@manchesterdeafcentre.com

Dipti Patel - BSL Teacher

I have worked at the Deaf Centre for almost 3 years. I am a Deaf BSL user. I consider myself to be a deaf role model as I am involved in both the deaf and hearing community. I am a qualified teacher delivering a variety of Employment training through the Deaf Centre, as well as teaching British Sign Language. I campaign for the deaf community to be given access to all education so that they believe they can train for any job role they wish to pursue.
Email: diptipatel@manchesterdeafcentre.com

I’m Wayne, I’m profoundly deaf and a native BSL user. I have a BA Honours degree in British Sign Language and I graduated from UCLAN in 2012. In addition to being a BSL teacher I am a Wellbeing worker and an Advocate at MDC, I also deliver Deaf Awareness training. I love performance, dance and theatre and I was involved in the Paralympics opening ceremony in 2012. I also have experience doing BSL translations for ITV. My hobbies include LGBT rugby and outdoor military fitness boot-camp, attending deaf exhibition events and going to watch accessible theatre (with a BSL interpreter or captions).

Email: waynesharples@manchesterdeafcentre.com

Sarah Shaukat - BSL Teacher

I love helping deaf people who want to find work in a professional workplace or setting up their own business. It's important that we can breakdown communication barriers and make adjustments to improving things and build a new future.

It's a new experience for me teaching British Sign Language which I really enjoy. It's very interesting for my students to learn new communication methods and Deaf Culture.

I am also a qualified designer of textile design and interior design. I'm passionate to create unique and creative designs of my own work.

Email: sarahshaukat@manchesterdeafcentre.com

J​ennifer Brown - BSL Teacher

Jennifer Brown is a fully qualified and highly skilled teacher. She has over 30 years’ experience in teaching Deaf Awareness, British Sign Language and bespoke courses in educational, professional, workplace and community settings.

J​essica Maryan - BSL teacher

I am a fluent British Sign Language user, having achieved Level 6. I have held many roles within the Deaf community over the last 20+ years, from teaching BSL Level 1 to 3, delivering Deaf Awareness sessions to organisations, being a qualified advocate and more recently, become a regulated trainee BSL/intralingual sign language interpreter. I was born profoundly deaf and have experienced discrimination first hand. I am therefore very passionate about sign language and creating solutions to lessen the gap of inequality for deaf people through my work. I love teaching BSL and I am excited to be part of the MDC team!