Pakūranga College Young Enterprise business, Aroha Signs, has found a novel way to get students learning New Zealand Sign Language.
“Play is one of the best ways to learn,” says Year 13 student and company marketing executive, Chloe Crawford. “So, we set out to create a fun and informal way to introduce kids to sign language.”
They took their finished product – a pack of 50 hand-drawn cards featuring words in English, Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language – for a test drive with visits to local schools at the end of Term 3.
“We had a great time visiting Pakūranga Heights School, Wakaaranga Primary, Elm Park, Bucklands Beach Intermediate, and Sunnyhills,” says production coordinator Gabby King. “We even said hi to some old teachers while we were there.”
“It was fantastic to see students having fun with our cards and learning as well,” says Chloe.
“The cards can be used in a variety of ways – the headband game, memory snap, or even flash cards – and we set classrooms up to play the headband game. Half the students had to guess what the card on their head was, while the other half were signing to them.
The company’s finance officer Zayan Hussein adds, “They were all very impressive and picked up the hand signs quickly.”
The group was inspired to produce an educational resource for people in the sign language community by CEO Nikita Jolly, who has experience with hearing loss.
“My hearing loss has inspired me to start something I’m passionate about. Through this business, I want to show people how easy and rewarding learning sign language can be. Even small signs can make a huge impact!”
The business is also supporting the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Foundation, with $1 from every pack sold going to the charity.
Sales are going well, and the team is especially proud to have an order placed by Pakūranga Heights School.
“That is very exciting. To showcase something we have spent months and months developing and have an order placed by one of our local schools for their students is very fulfilling,” says sales manager Destiny Peihopa-Vaine Poruku.
Order your pack at https://arohasignsnz.company.site/ for $26.99.
