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Experience the rich culture of NZSL with SignWest

Fostering inclusion for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community within and beyond West Auckland.

My Mission

Learning New Zealand Sign Language should be an experience that is welcoming, accessible, and genuinely fun — these three principles are what I aim to bring to every single SignWest course. My dream is to make a valuable contribution towards fostering an environment in which Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing people can meet in the same language.

What I offer

  • NZSL courses for every level

    From absolute-beginner tasters through to Beginner (Level 1) and Intermediate (Level 2) blocks.

  • Taster & crash courses

    Short, practical introductions — ideal for workplaces, families, or anyone who wants useful signing fast.

  • Deaf Culture workshops

    The culture, history and etiquette that sit alongside the language.

  • Family & whānau classes

    Sessions designed for families of Deaf children who want to learn and sign together at home.

  • One-to-one & small groups

    Tuition tailored to you or your team, at a pace that suits you.

  • In person or over Zoom

    Face-to-face across Auckland, and online right across Aotearoa.

About Me

I've been involved in the Deaf community my whole life. I immigrated to New Zealand from the UK, where I worked at the Deaf Studies Trust in Bristol conducting research on Deaf-related initiatives.

With over a decade of sign language teaching experience, I provide regular and refresher face-to-face classes, presentations, and one-to-one or small-group tuition.

I founded the Auckland CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) youth group, organising monthly activities and annual camps.

Alongside NZSL — my teaching language — I have basic skills in ASL, BSL, Kenyan Sign Language, and International Sign.

Qualifications

  • BA (Hons) Deaf Studies with Education Studies — University of Central Lancashire, UK (2001)
  • NZSL teacher training through the NZ Sign Language Teachers Association (2014–present)
  • NZSLTA Member #266, with ongoing professional development through NZSLTA

Roles and recognition

  • Auckland COGS Committee Member (2022–2025)
  • NZSL Board Member (2024–2026)
  • NZSLTA Values Award Recipient (June 2025)

NZSLTA Member #266

Monica Leach smiling with her New Zealand Sign Language Teacher of the Year award

What students say

Notes, cards and pictures from students and groups over the years.

A handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest studentA handwritten thank-you note or card from a SignWest student

CODA — Children of Deaf Adults

CODA stands for Children of Deaf Adults — people raised by Deaf parents, who often grow up bilingual and bicultural between the Deaf and hearing worlds.

I founded and ran the Auckland Youth CODA Group from February 2021 to December 2023 for members aged 11–18. The group met monthly for activities — sea kayaking, go-karting, Rainbows End, Wētā Workshop, escape rooms, paintball — alongside NZSL practice and cultural connection.

The group was grant-funded and is currently paused: there are no upcoming CODA events in Aotearoa or Auckland due to lack of funding.

If you or your organisation could sponsor or donate to bring CODA youth events back, I'd love to hear from you.

Talk to me about sponsoring

Tools, people & community

Free tools and community links for learning NZSL and connecting with the Deaf community.

Adult learning resources
For children and teenagers
Kids of Kōrero Lane

An NZSL video series on YouTube — eight seasons of episodes including Moving Day, Birthday Party, Pepeha/About Me, Celebrity Selfie, Kai on the Marae, Movie Magic, and The Talent Show.

Stories from the Deaf community
West Auckland businesses with NZSL-trained professionals

Local professionals who have trained in NZSL.

  • Alice Kongjinda — Accountant
  • Andrea Lakeland — Dentist (hard of hearing)
  • Chriss MacPherson — Video creator
  • Dr Robbie Francis Watene — Founder, The Lucy Foundation
  • Michele Arts — Nail salon
  • Monica Budd & Vanessa Farrington — SLO ECO Natural Products
  • Nima Numan — Little Willow NZ
  • Renee Wishart — Real estate
  • Robyn Van Den Berg — Dyslexia tutor
  • Sarah Numan — Baby loss services
  • Suzanne Jones — Special Gifts
Sign name artist
  • Becky West — Deaf Kiwi–Hong Kong artist — signlanguageplus@gmail.com
NZSL teaching associates
  • Deaf Way — National
  • Every Sign — Invercargill & Southland
  • Learn with Eddie — Northland
  • Merge NZ — National
  • Sign Equity — Christchurch
  • Sign Ora — Auckland
  • USign — Cambridge & Waikato
  • Deaf Ecosystem
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Ready to start signing?

Email me about courses, workshops, or anything NZSL — pricing is negotiable and beginners are always welcome.

Get in touch
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