Sign language should be taught in schools

The majority of people surveyed by The National Deaf Children’s Society have said that sign language should be taught in schools.

More than 2,000 deaf and hearing young people aged between eight and 25 took part in the charity’s survey, as part of its Right to Sign report.

It revealed that 92 per cent said that British Sign Language (BSL) should be offered as a GCSE.

Ninety-seven per cent also recommended that BSL be taught in schools in general

It also found that while 85 per cent of deaf people answering the survey wanted to learn more sign language, there was even more interest among those with hearing: 94 per cent were interested in increasing their skills.

The Right to Sign campaign is now calling for BSL to be included in the national curriculum.

Susan Daniels, charity chief executive said: “Everyone in the UK, deaf or hearing, should have the opportunity to learn BSL – but most people miss out as it’s rarely taught in schools and private lessons are expensive.

“If we are to break down barriers to learning BSL, it must be included in the national curriculum.

“This survey shows that children and young people really want to learn BSL, so we urge the Department for Education to respond to this demand.”