MDC strive to deliver a range of educational courses in various settings. We teach full, Signature accredited courses for Levels 1, 2 and 3 in British Sign Language. We deliver Deaf Awareness sessions, 5-hour and 10-hour Introduction to Sign Language courses. We are currently developing a training package which we will offer to employers who are keen to make their place of work as inclusive as possible. In line with bespoke training, we can also offer 1:1 tutoring. Our teachers are professional, fully qualified, experienced, reputable, and profoundly deaf native BSL users. Our training is delivered in British Sign Language to ensure an authentic learning experience. Where necessary, a fully qualified BSL Interpreter will be present to assist with the facilitation of communication between teacher and participants.
Please note: course content and eligibility varies between paid and free 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
Wayne Sharples - BSL Teacher
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).
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.
I am Brent Allen, I am profoundly Deaf. I started learning BSL when I was 16 when I was introduced to the Deaf world, where I found my identity. I did level 4 in BSL through the old CACDP (now known as Signature) and I worked as a support facilitator with Deaf and Deafblind people for 4 years. I worked as a technician jeweller with my family business for 5 years. I lived in Romania as a missionary for 6 years. I sign fluently in Romanian Sign Language, American Sign Language and International Sign. I am currently a Deaf translator for the BSL Bible Translation Project as well as work as a self-employed carpenter and joiner.
