Recently it was announced that British Sign Language will be offered to GSCE students from 2025. According to the government, pupils will learn around 1,000 signs and will also be taught the history, culture and significance of BSL.
The government says it has worked closely with exam boards, schools, experts and stakeholders to make sure the content of the subject is 'knowledge-rich, diverse' and 'challenging'.
The qualification will be internationally recognised and accepted in schools and college performance tables. With BSL making it's way into mainstream society, we headed down to the Manchester Deaf Centre for our own crash course lesson of the language by local BSL teacher, Wayne Sharples.
Wayne from Bolton recently became a teacher at the Deaf Centre and also campaigns for deaf awareness by leading workshops about the language and community.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk