Benefits Of Sign Language

To most, Sign Language may seem an unnecessary, difficult and hard to learn language, but for many others, it is their only way of communicating. Often those that are deaf cannot speak and, therefore, they are effectively excluded from society – and it is all our fault. But, if sign language was taught in schools, each child would get to know the basic signs and our problem would be solved.

In April 2006, Sign Language became an official language of New Zealand along with Te Reo Maori and English, yet New Zealand Sign Language (or NZSL) is considered to be New Zealand’s hidden language because although most people know the basics of Maori and can speak English fluently, according to the 2013 New Zealand census - only 0.5% of New Zealanders

Sign Language is a fun, easy-to-learn language that has many benefits. For starters, Sign Language can be easily taught to young toddlers to break the communication barrier, and as a result children will have less temper tantrums because their parents will be able to understand them better. For example, my youngest sister has delayed speech and so we taught her Sign Language from a very young age. Sign Language has helped her communicate with us quicker and prompted her to speak more and more until now she no longer has to use Sign Language as her main way of communicating although it still does come in handy sometimes. According to a study done by the Californian School for the Deaf, there is a big “difference in language acquisition for signing and non-signing children.” The study also reveals that children who are taught Sign Language are better readers and know more letters by the time they start school compared to a child who has not been taught

I understand that people may think that learning another language may seem to be a hard, frustrating and mostly daunting task. But in relation to English, NZSL is very similar and the signs are most often logical, hence why Sign Language is considered to be one of the easiest languages to learn. NZSL is enjoyable and progress is made quickly and easily. I feel that if Sign Language was offered at schools, students would participate eagerly because signing is a skill that can be used on a regular basis in and out of school, and students would easily recognise the progress they are making. Sign Language is not only for the deaf, it also comes in handy in everyday life - for example, if everyone knew Sign Language, people could easily communicate in situations where you cannot hear, such as when scuba diving, talking across the field and communicating while being silent at the same time. If Sign Language was taught in schools, it would also open up job opportunities such as interpreters and teacher aides for those that communicate using Sign Language.

Overall, Sign Language should be offered at schools to students because it is one of the three official languages of New Zealand. Sign Language also has many other benefits such as the fact that it can easily be taught to young toddlers before they can speak and it is a way of communicating silently.