Kerryn
Deaf, NSW
Sophie has been a fantastic addition to my journey. Born deaf but raised oral, I have always been just behind the hearing pack; as things became too difficult for me to continue my work as it was, I dived into an Auslan journey and becoming involved with the Deaf community.
Sophie has helped my confidence with her easy going mannerism and solid understanding of Deaf and hearing worlds. Working with someone who has experienced life in a similar way to me, is quite incredible. You always think you are alone, until you aren't.
Olivia
Deaf, NSW
Prior to engaging with Sophie’s mentoring services, I had never had accessed any Deaf mentoring services in the past. This is due to many reasons:
- Growing up in hearing world/oral
- Deaf mentors/role models were not recommended to me or my family
- Lack of access to mentors and role models locally that have had similar experiences to me!
So, I decided that it was better late than never - I contacted Sophie and immediately engaged with her story, and felt that there were so many things that are similar in our journeys. Sophie generously shares her personal story - and provides amazing insight to many situations that we discuss as part of being Deaf.
Her kind nature, compassion and true understanding of the barriers faced by Deaf people allows me to connect really well with her! After each session I am left with a feeling I can only describe in one word - empowered!
In sharing my experiences with Sophie I leave feeling more confident in myself - something that is a continuous struggle as I navigate the journey between hearing and Deaf worlds! I have nothing negative to say regarding Sophie’s services! I have loved gaining a new Deaf role model and mentor to assist me on my journey.
Louisa
Auslan student, QLD
I sought out Sophie’s tutelage in the hope that I could find a teacher who was able to teach both formal Auslan (including grammar, sentence structure and unique linguistic elements) as well as casual day to day Auslan so I could communicate on a more relaxed basis with my deaf and HOH friends.
Before engaging Sophie, I had enrolled in other Auslan courses and often finished classes feeling deflated, confused and defeated, and very much wondering why I was pursuing learning Auslan. I never feel like that after my sessions with Sophie.
To say she delivers weekly is an understatement. It is not a simple word learning process that would be so easy to fall into, but rather a coaching experience where she pushes and expands upon my basic Auslan knowledge.
She corrects me without criticism, she is happy to incorporate my requests into our sessions while also offering her own suggestions on what to focus on, she is always thinking of helpful resources and sites to seek further improvement and she is flexible with times knowing that sometimes life gets in the way.
Her teaching style means I finish each session on a high, wanting to practice immediately what we just covered and it is the type of learning that is never a chore.
I simply cannot fault her!
Stephanie
Auslan student, Dip of Auslan
I love everything Sophie has done so far. She has answered our questions when we’ve been confused or needing help and when we’ve messaged her for a quick question she responds to us.
Rosa
Parent of Deaf Child, Auslan student,
Deafness Awareness Training
Her openess, honesty and supportive manner that puts me at ease with learning, and to be challenged and extended in the areas that I need.