Sign language teacher is an inspiration (From York Press)

Sign language teacher Amanda Smith wins national award

8:08am Friday 25th November 2011 in Education news By Haydn Lewis, haydn.lewis@thepress.co.uk

AN “inspirational” sign language teacher at York St John University has scooped a top national award.

Amanda Smith, programme leader for British Sign Language (BSL) and Senior Lecturer in the Business School at York St John University, has been named National Teacher Of The Year in the Signature annual awards for her supportive, nurturing and inspirational approach.

Amanda, whose first language is BSL rather than English, having been born deaf, teaches BSL levels 1 and 2 at York St John University. She recently became a Teaching Fellow at the university and is soon to add BSL Level 3 to the classes.

Since she joined the modern languages department there has been a substantial increase in the number of students studying BSL and Amanda recently achieved a 100 per cent pass rate.

She said: “BSL is like learning any other language – you need to keep practising, enjoy what you are doing and have a sense of humour. I am so delighted to receive the honour of being named teacher of the year by Signature and to win this prestigious award.”

Amanda’s student Ross Hanning, 21, of Holgate, who is studying a Level 2 sign language qualification, nominated her for the award.

He said: “She’s just an absolutely fantastic teacher. She is just really really engaging – if you can learn from anyone it’s Amanda. She’s been teaching me for two and a half years and she’s inspirational.”

With Amanda’s support, the BSL students have set up a Sign Café at the university which is frequented by deaf students and local BSL users.

Here they can practise their BSL skills and learn more about deaf culture. Amanda also teaches deaf awareness to university staff and integration has greatly improved on campus.

The Signature awards recognise individuals and organisations who have made a significant contribution toward achieving a society in which deaf and deaf-blind people have full access.