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
Dipti Patel - BSL Teacher
I have worked at the Deaf Centre for almost 3 years. I am a Deaf BSL user. I consider myself to be a deaf role model as I am involved in both the deaf and hearing community. I am a qualified teacher delivering a variety of Employment training through the Deaf Centre, as well as teaching British Sign Language. I campaign for the deaf community to be given access to all education so that they believe they can train for any job role they wish to pursue. Email: diptipatel@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.
Jennifer Brown - BSL Teacher
Jennifer Brown is a fully qualified and highly skilled teacher. She has over 30 years’ experience in teaching Deaf Awareness, British Sign Language and bespoke courses in educational, professional, workplace and community settings.
Jessica Maryan - BSL teacher
I am a fluent British Sign Language user, having achieved Level 6. I have held many roles within the Deaf community over the last 20+ years, from teaching BSL Level 1 to 3, delivering Deaf Awareness sessions to organisations, being a qualified advocate and more recently, become a regulated trainee BSL/intralingual sign language interpreter. I was born profoundly deaf and have experienced discrimination first hand. I am therefore very passionate about sign language and creating solutions to lessen the gap of inequality for deaf people through my work. I love teaching BSL and I am excited to be part of the MDC team!
