STUDENT AND TUTOR’S LIFE-CHANGING BOND
ADEAF student and her college tutor have forged a close relationship that both say has changed their lives, how they communicate and work. Kristi Jones has learned British Sign Language (BSL) to communicate with Hannah Carey, who has returned to college as a mature student.
Coleg Gwent tutor Kristi now wants to be more involved with teaching deaf and hearing impaired students. Hannah said it’s the first time she’s enjoyed college.
Hannah, 32, from Brynmawr, was born deaf and uses BSL to communicate with her friends, family and her son Noah, who will turn 10 in June.
“In my life I have been to many colleges and never felt comfortable as I do here, I have always finished early because teachers never understood the deaf way,” she said.
“But with Kristi, she changed my life massively, she understands and communicates with me and it makes me want to carry on and go further in my career.”
When Hannah enrolled onto Kristi’s beauty therapy class, the tutor began learning words and phrases from Hannah and the communicator who helps her in class.
As Kristi’s skills developed, she said she could see the impact it was having on her learning and enjoyment.
She is now learning BSL and Kristi, 28, says it helps that they are not too far apart in age.
“Learning skills to communicate has made our relationship very close. We chat about things like life at home and the weekends. I think I’m able to make Hannah more included in the class.
“Having Hannah in the class has changed how the whole class communicates, it’s lovely.”
Hannah said she’s become more engaged, more comfortable asking questions and more included in classroom discussions because Kristi is learning her language.
Other students were so inspired by Kristi’s dedication to learning sign language that they have also learned some basic signs to communicate with Hannah.
They have also started to think how they will communicate with deaf customers when they go to work in the beauty industry and have become more aware generally about life for hearing impaired people, said Kristi.
“Since I’ve started learning to sign, I’m definitely more open-minded. I’ve even started teaching my kids the language now and they love it,” she said.
“I think that everyone should have a basic understanding of BSL, and then work to build upon that.”
Hannah recently had a cochlear fitted, but that doesn’t enable her to hear more than general sound and she relies on using BSL.
She said: “I was born deaf, so it’s all I’ve known. I was brought up the deaf way with hearing aids and learning BSL. I’ve recently had a cochlear implant fitted, which is helping with general sounds.
“I thought returning to college as a mature learner would be challenging, but I’ve been really supported. Now Kristi has also learned sign language, I can understand the course content much more clearly, and I’m able to get involved with group work, which has been great for my progress.
“I’m hoping to progress to the Level 3 theatrical special effects, hair and media make-up at Coleg Gwent’s Crosskeys campus, and in the future, I’d like to teach make-up.
“If there are any other deaf people who may be struggling, or wondering if college is right for them, I’d encourage them to go for it.”
Hannah said a lack of knowledge about being hearing impaired meant even her mother hadn’t realised she had been born deaf. Instead, she thought Hannah had lost her hearing after having meningitis aged two.
“My nan recognised I was deaf from a young age. It was difficult in mainstream school.”
She also signs with her son and says she is proud of how he helps: “He knows how to communicate with me and picks it up really quickly. It’s funny when people are talking he will tap me and explain what people are saying in a different way, he is really clever.”