Future Deaf Teachers Pathway Course

27th November 2024

Are you:

• deaf?
• aged 19 or over?
• considering career options?

Have you considered a career in teaching?

There is currently a shortage of experienced and qualified deaf BSL teachers. Demand for BSL tuition is growing following the BSL Act 2022, and the government’s decision to introduce a BSL GCSE in schools. By becoming a deaf BSL teacher you will be part of this historic step forwards, and may have the satisfaction of supporting both deaf and hearing learners in achieving a BSL qualification. You will have the sense of achievement of helping to spread the use of BSL in a meaningful way throughout the UK.

If you are not sure where to find information about teaching as a career, or you feel nervous about joining a mainstream teacher training course, don’t worry, as we have a perfect opportunity for you!

Our new Deaf Teachers Pathway Course is:

• free
• starting April 2025
• 20 hours total (two full days of workshops plus 6 hours shadowing MDC’s experienced deaf teachers)

You will be supported to:

• explore if a teaching career is for you 
• learn the basics of good teaching practice
• observe teaching methods in the classroom
• improve your confidence in preparation for a mainstream course 

The course will be fully deaf accessible. You will be supported to learn in the communication method of your choice. 

The course has been designed by MDC staff member Kate Tinston. Kate is a qualified teacher with many years of experience delivering BSL courses and deaf awareness training. She uses BSL as a first language. She is passionate about mentoring new deaf tutors. She understands the barriers that people who are deaf face and that, as a result of these barriers, a deaf person is less likely to enter teacher training than a hearing person. This course aims to break down these barriers and provide a new route for deaf people to enter teaching as a career.

The course provides a structured progression route to the Level 3 Teaching Qualification course offered by Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES), starting in September 2025.

1 – Interested in joining? Please email us: admin@manchesterdeafcentre.com