Welcome to NZSL
HELLO, tēnā koutou, and welcome.
Thumbs Up! An Introduction to New Zealand Sign Language is a communicative language resource. It is designed to assist those teaching NZSL as an additional language to students in years 7–8 in English-medium schools. The resource also supports teacher learning. It is designed to help students and teachers express themselves in a new language and communicate with those who use NZSL in their daily lives.
New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is recognised as an official language of New Zealand through the New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006.
For this reason, NZSL has special mention in The New Zealand Curriculum (2007).
When NZSL is taught as an additional language, it fits within the aims and objectives of learning languages in the New Zealand Curriculum.
NZSL is used by members of New Zealand’s Deaf community and those who are linked with this community, for example, hearing people who have Deaf relatives and interpreters who work with Deaf people.
Learning NZSL gives hearing people insight into the Deaf community. In turn, this allows Deaf people to communicate with hearing people more easily. Thus, our society becomes more inclusive.
As more New Zealanders learn NZSL, one of our country’s official languages, a distinct Aotearoa New Zealand identity is built.
Learn NZSL! Use NZSL! Enjoy NZSL!