Frequently Asked Questions

To enter into the registration system and to start or continue teaching, using NZSL Level 1 resources. Trainees show interest in NZSL teaching and commit to NZSL teaching related Professional Development to extend their skills and knowledge.

When a new member joins the New Zealand Sign Language Teachers Association for the first time, they become a non-certified tutor or a supporting member. They are not part of the RAP registration system. They can only access NZSL Level 1 (Units 1 - 3) and NZSL for Families (Units 1 - 2) resources.

Couple of reasons could be declined due to:

• providing incorrect videos or information
• the person you asked to support your application is not a current NZSLTA member and/or is not a registered Qualified NZSL Tutor. They must be registered with RAP.

NZSLTA will contact you if we require further details to complete your application correctly.

You need to login first to be able to apply the Trainee form.

NZSTLA will receive your application by email and will review your application within 5 working days.

If your application is approved, you will get notification by email from NZSLTA to confirm you are now on the Trainee status and provide you extra access to Level One - Unit 4 & 5 and NZSL for Families - Unit 4 & 5 resources.

Check thoroughly in your application to ensure you have entered the required fields, follow the red (required) and follow the instructions provided in the form.

Still having trouble? Contact NZSLTA to help you.

You will receive an email acknowledging receipt (a copy) of your application after you have submitted the form.

NZSTLA will receive your application by email and will review your application to ensure you have provided the correct information and proof of evidence to match your hours, qualifications and professional development hours. 

NZSLTA will contact you if we require further details to complete your application correctly before we pass your application onto our Registration Advisory Panel (RAP) team and they will assess your application.

The application process can take up to two months, you will receive an email letter informing you of the outcome of your application in due course.

If your application is approved, you will get an official letter by email from the Registration Advisory Panel (RAP) team to congratulate you on becoming Provisional or Qualified status depending on the outcome decision by the RAP team and provide you extra access to our resources.

This can be either:

• not enough teaching hours, need to achieve between 90 - 200 NZSL teaching hours in community education, for Provisional status
• no qualifications or your qualification(s) does not met our criteria for NZSL teaching
• lack or not enough of professional development hours

What are my options?

• If you have more evidence to prove your teaching hours and/or professional development hours, then you need to reapply the application again.
• Try to get more teaching hours to achieve between 90 - 200 teaching hours.
• Do or complete your Certificate in Deaf Studies at Victoria University.

Couple of reasons could be due to:

• not completing 'Certificate in Deaf Studies: Teaching NZSL' qualification (including teaching practicum paper - DEAF806) or equivalent.
• not enough teaching hours, need to achieve over 200 NZSL teaching hours in community education

We do not require your CV documentation for this application.

Check thoroughly in your application to ensure you have entered the required fields, follow the red (required) and follow the tips instructions and help guide provided in the form.

We encourage you to watch the videos in the Watch how to tutorial videos page before you apply for a Provisional or Qualified application.

Remember to keep saving your form as you continue updating your application, your information will NOT be lost, otherwise you will end up having to start all over again if not saved.

Still having trouble? Contact NZSLTA to help you.

Overseas trained tutors/teachers, who gained their teaching qualification outside of New Zealand, will also have to provide evidence of their sign language competency requirements.

NZSLTA’s vision is that everyone values and uses New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) in Aotearoa.

NZSLTA focuses on providing a registration system to make sure NZSL tutors have the skills and knowledge to teach NZSL.

NZSLTA has a tutor registration system. This system makes sure NZSL teachers have the skills and knowledge to teach NZSL in community education in the right way and to be fairer to all NZSL tutors within New Zealand.

All applicants studying to be a tutor or applying for registration and certification must meet the sign language competency requirements.

This helps all NZSL students and education providers to know that we have high level standards and qualified tutors to be able to teach NZSL, which is why we have the NZSL Tutor Directory.