About Bob Sign Language
Hello my name is Bob McCluskey. My company is Bob Sign Language, shortened version is BSL! I started teaching BSL in 2013. Before then, I worked in accounts, worked my way up to become Accounts Manager. However I found it boring, not much face to face contact.
I like to meet people which is why I started teaching BSL. I trained as a teacher and achieved the PTTL certification. I then started teaching Level 1 to 6. I then qualified A1 Assessor so I could teach Level 6. I also teach deaf awareness, and I also freelance for companies who wish to learn BSL. I either visit their premises or teach via Zoom.
I have taught companies like AMAZON, GSK, Aston Villa Football, many many more. When covid struck, classroom settings had to change to zoom. People/students liked using Zoom because they learnt BSL whilst they were forced to stay at home. Since then, post Covid, the popularity of Zoom has been phenomenal and this is now the main platform I use to teach BSL.
Why do I teach BSL? Because it’s fun and as my personality is full of fun, my lessons are fun too! Learners like to come to my lessons to give them a break from homelife/work. They come to class for a laugh. If you’re interested, please contact my PA, Julia. She works at admin support, like booking exams for you, liaising with learners who want to learn BSL Level 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. Any information, Julia will help. She can arrange facetime/zoom calls for you to have a chat with me. Julia used to work for the NHS as a Director’s Secretary. She now works for me full time.
If you are interested in any of the courses, you will have fun! I have a high percent pass rate of about 98% so far. Lots of my students have passed!
Please contact us!
Thank you for watching, bye bye.
Meet The Team
Bob McCluskey, BA (Hons)
Director & Teaching Level 1 to 6
During the pandemic, he adapted his style of teaching via Zoom classes which has proven to be so successful, this option is now the main platform for his BSL teaching.
He wants all his students to learn BSL in a fun environment, at the same time, is committed to teaching them all that they need to know and to pass their assessments with flying colours!
Bob has a Executive Assisstant working with him to deal with all administrative tasks while he is out teaching what he loves best! If you have any queries or need advice, please contact Julia on [email protected]
Julia
Executive Assistant
Julia has worked in the secretarial field all her life since leaving college, working up from a junior team secretary to a PA to Deputy Director of Nursing.
She is passionate about helping and supporting Bob to teach as many learners as possible to learn BSL for effective and smoother communication with Deaf people.
Please do not hesitate to contact her with any queries/suggestions/ideas!
Sarah
Teaching Level 2 & 3
Sarah Clarke (BA Hons, QTLS, A1 assessor) is a qualified teacher and has been teaching BSL for 20 years. A level 6 signer herself, she has taught Deaf Awareness to many organisations including Transport for London, in Cancer Departments in hospitals and in various primary and secondary schools and colleges.
Sarah has worked with many Deaf children, teaching them elements of story telling in BSL. She has also taught BSL Levels 1-3 and Deaf Awareness in the classrooms. On a number of occasions, she has worked with Deaf children in Brazil for several months.
Sarah has a passion for raising Deaf Awareness, strengthening Deaf Identity and community, and developing the use of BSL Language.
Jayne
Teaching Level 1
She is a Deaf, British Sign Language (BSL) user and has many years’ teaching experience at BSL Level 1 in College, Adult Education and in the workplace. In addition, she has also volunteered as a support tutor in colleges with BSL Level 1-3 workshops.
She has a love of being involved in the deaf community over many years, and has been an active organiser for deaf and learning disabilities events. She is currently working with deaf, deaf internationals, those with hearing loss and deaf blind people who need support and has done so for almost five years.
Ruth
Teaching Level 3
Ruth is deaf and a native BSL user. She holds teaching qualifications such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PgCAPHE), A1 Assessor, and BSL Level 6 qualifications. Ruth’s teaching journey began in 1989 when a BSL teacher encouraged her to join the BSL teaching team. She has also worked in both deaf and mainstream schools to support deaf children.
Ruth’s teaching experience includes a wide range of settings, from schools and colleges to universities, companies, and hospitals. She currently works at Coventry University in a teaching position and firmly believes that hearing people should learn BSL. She finds great joy in teaching and watching her students develop their BSL skills
Teaching BSL is both rewarding and enjoyable. Ruth looks forward to meeting and teaching you all, her motto is, “Don’t run, but walk through.”
Amanda
Teaching Level 1
Amanda is a Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) user with over 26 years’ experience teaching British Sign Language, from Level 1 to Level 3, working with learners ranging from complete beginners to those developing fluency. She holds a BSL Level 6 qualification, is an A1 Assessor, and has additional qualifications including a degree related to NHS mental health and Management and Leadership.
Her teaching practice is strongly informed by Deaf lived experience, and she is passionate about embedding Deaf culture alongside language learning. Her aim is to raise awareness of Deaf people as both a linguistic and cultural minority, supporting people to develop not only linguistic competence but also cultural understanding and respect.
She has been recognised nationally and locally for excellence in teaching. In 2011, she was awarded National Teacher of the Year by Signature, followed by York Adult Tutor of the Year in 2012 (City of York Council – York 800). She was shortlisted for Signature Teacher of the Year in 2013, received a Staff Excellence Award in 2015, and was awarded Excellence Teacher by York St John Students’ Union in 2017. She was also a finalist for Signature’s Leadership Award in 2017.
More recently, she was nominated in 2019 for Inspirational Teaching and Most Supportive Staff Member by York St John Students’ Union, and in 2022, the BSL and Deaf Studies course team received Course Team of the Year.
In addition to academic teaching, she delivers Deaf Awareness training, from introductory to advanced levels, for organisations and businesses across the region. Her work focuses on promoting equal access, inclusion, and meaningful engagement with d/Deaf people within communities and workplaces.
Xena
Teaching Level 1 & 2
Information coming soon