Sign Language Teacher Reaches National Finals

Story from the Castlepoint Yellow Advertiser.

Carol Cook was brought up in a bi-lingual home - with signing her first language.

Her parents were both profoundly deaf so she was introduced to sign language as a baby.

Five years ago Carol who lives in Hockley, decided to teach signing, and has just scooped a prestigious award for her commitment to the language.

She won the regional heat in charity Signature's annual awards, and now goes on to compete in the national finals in the first Teacher of the Year title.

"When I was a child signing was the main language in our home, my elder brother taught me to sign and speak," said Carol, 42, who teaches at Rochford Adult Community College.

"I was obviously fluent in signing, but didn't decide to teach straight away. I had to pass exams in the language and to be a teacher," she added. "It is so important for deaf people to be able to communicate otherwise they become isolated."

Jim Edwards chief executive at Signature, which aims to aid communication for deaf people and organises a series of awards each year said, "We are delighted to recognise individuals and groups who work so hard to improve the quality for deaf people."

"Carol is a popular and valued teacher of British Sign Language and an inspiration to her students, teaching them to love the subject first, then pass exams," he added.

She goes ahead to the national finals in London on November 12.

Read more interesting and inspiring stories here.