Hey you guys ☺️

[ItsMarie]

Marie here. Super happy to have found this forum. 

I'm profoundly deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other. I have tinnitus in both ears, such a joy!

I grow up and I currently live in a 100% hearing environment. For many years I was able to 'just get by' without hearing aids or indicating to others that I can't hear very well. I don't know how I did this for so long! Now in my late 40's, I'm too tired for all that nonsense of pretending everything is OK.

I'm so up for learning BSL that I'll be joining the online course hopefully in the new year.

Having lived in France for the past decade, I simply love learning languages. Besides, as I'm returning to the UK next year, I want get more involved with people who get me and won't judge me after the 3rd time of saying 'pardon?' 😅

Learning BSL feels like a natural next step for me.

Also, I joined because perhaps one day I'll be able to offer some support to other people. For example, advice on how to learn a foreign spoken language with a hearing impairment. Or some stuff about living with tinnitus.

Thanks for reading and take care.

[Batem4n]

Welcome to the forum, Marie! It's great that you've decided to learn BSL in the New Year. Have you enrolled on the course with British-Sign?

[ItsMarie]

Thank you!

I'll be enrolling in the online course offered on British Sign. I've not done it yet as I'm currently enrolled in a French course which finishes in 3 weeks.

Then, when I'm back in the UK, I'll see how I can step up my learning.

I guess there's no substitute for real-life, real-time human practice.

Can't wait to get stuck in.

[Batem4n]

If you ever want to practise when you enrol on the course, I'd be more than happy to do so (and with anyone else)!