08/05/2026
Well done Rachel!
Rachel was my sign language teacher when I learnt New Zealand Sign Language. I have since made many friends within the Nelson Sign Language Community. It really is so easy to learn and enriches the lives and promotes inclusiveness of deaf people in our community.
Just give it a go
Happy NZSL week
Diane ❤️❤️❤️
This week is NZSL Week, so we thought we'd take the opportunity to introduce our awesome NZSL teacher!
At Nayland College, we’re fortunate to have Rachel Summers as our NZSL teacher. Rachel, who was born Deaf, has been teaching adult NZSL classes as part of community education for 20 years. Last year, she started at Nayland College in her first role teaching high school students. She loves teaching sign language and seeing students grow their sign language skills.
Rachel was born Deaf, so English isn’t her first language. She was born into a hearing family, which she found hard at times although her parents learned how to sign when they found out she was deaf. Rachel learned what’s called Signed English until she was about fifteen. Signed English, or Signed Exact English, is a direct translation of English into manual sign, whereas NZSL is a language in its own right with a different grammar structure than English. NZSL also incorporates facial expressions, expressiveness, and Māori concepts developed by tangata turi [Māori deaf community] to communicate.
Rachel stays busy, working four different jobs! Along with teaching sign language at Nayland College and to adults in the community, she works for Deaf Services to help support the Deaf community. She is also qualified in social work, working as a Youth Support Coordinator in Blenheim. Unfortunately, this role will be finishing in June due to funding cuts.
In November, Rachel will be getting married. Her son Ryan, who is in Year 10 at Nayland College, will be giving her away. When asked what it’s like to have a Deaf parent, Ryan says he doesn’t know any different. He is fluent in NZSL and helps to translate for her at times.
We asked Rachel what she wishes more people knew. She wants more people to reach out to Deaf people, to start conversations and to be inclusive. She says there’s nothing to be afraid of, Deaf people don’t bite!
She tells us that basic sign language is a great skill to have. Using phrases like hello, thank you and please can make a big difference. It’s useful in situations like cafes and hospitals, and means the Deaf community can be more included.
Thank you Rachel, for everything you do for our students and for our community!
