Learn South African Sign Language

The Wits Language School works in collaboration with The Centre for Deaf Studies to teach South African Sign Language courses. The Centre for Deaf Studies aims to provide the South African community with accessible services and a future of equal and accessible education.  More and more hearing South Africans are learning sign language to improve relationships between hearing and deaf people nationally and internationally.

All South African Sign Language courses are coordinated by a Deaf person, who organises and manages the course, and facilitates communication and training of the Deaf Sign Language Instructors.

Why Learn South African Sign Language?

South African sign language is used by approximately 2 million South Africans - deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people. It is a unique and real language recognised as a first language by many members of the Deaf community in South Africa.

When you learn Sign Language you will realise the importance of being able to communicate and understand Deaf people - an employee, a client, a friend, a family member. By learning sign language you will exposed to a new cultural and linguistic community. Learning Sign Language is an excellent opportunity to create accessibility for Deaf people.

How to Learn South African Sign Language

South African Sign Language is a visual language, unlike other spoken languages. You learn sign language through your eyes receptively and your hands productively. Our Deaf teacher will teach you practical Sign Language vocabulary that can be used in “real life” situations. The impact of deafness on Deaf people in public services will also be demonstrated.

Wits Language School offers different tuition options:

• Public courses with a limit of 15 learners per tutor. 
• Corporate courses are offered to public and private companies. Please contact Wits Language School for a proposal and quotation. 
• Private tuition can also be provided.

Sign Language Courses in Johannesburg, Gauteng

The aim of the sign language course is to teach learners to communicate and understand Deaf and Hard of Hearing people through the use of Sign Language.

1. Practical Sign Language - using South African Sign Language students will be able to:

• inform and explain about simple arrangements and processes; 
• deliver a monologue for a known audience on a familiar topic;
• give and ask for directions to places and locations;
• perform everyday communicative tasks;
• make complex arrangements with Deaf individuals and groups of Deaf people;
• deliver a variety of prepared presentations and answer questions related to an unfamiliar event or topic;
• recount a signed conversation on a simple topic;
• hold conversations with Deaf individuals and groups of Deaf people on an unfamiliar topic.

2. Theory - you will learn the theory of sign language including:

• A Deaf teacher (through a South African Sign Language interpreter) will introduce the participants to the deaf culture and community in South Africa. Students will have an opportunity to ask questions.
• Students will be introduced to the theory of Sign Language and Deaf Culture and the needs of the Deaf Community.
• Discussions and demonstrations on policy and the impact on the Deaf person in terms of socio-emotional, educational and career opportunities.

3. Assessment - an assessment is required to receive your certification:

• Students will be assessed on signing skills including both receptive and expressive languages.
• Students will be informed at the beginning of the course on how they will be assessed. They will be given advice on how to improve their skills in cultural appearance of conduct, production and language (grammatical features and vocabulary).
• An unit standard outcomes of South African Sign Language, registered on the SAQA: NQF Level 1, 2 and 3, will also be listed on the certificate of completion.