Deaf historian Peter R. Brown has been teaching BSL at City Lit for over 20 years. He also delivers fingerspelling workshops, deaf history talks, as well as teaching courses specifically aimed at deaf people giving them employability skills. In addition to this Peter, also supervises and supports other teachers, as well as new teachers as they enter the profession.

Peter has appeared on television’s See Hear and This Is Deaf delivering a variety of topics. He has attended deaf/mainstream schools, Deaf events and Deaf festivals across Britain to deliver presentations on his research into the origins of BSL, specifically modern BSL. City Lit’s BSL Facebook page has become a rich depository, filled with tons of historical findings, stories and deaf-related artefacts all thanks to Peter.

Peter’s achievements include:  

• Highly Commended Inspirational Tutor at the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan’s Adult Learning Awards
• Shortlisted for TES’ FE Teacher of the Year award.
• Highly commended for the Preservation of Deaf history and culture at RAD’s awards.

Our favourite quote about Peter:

"Whenever you mention Peter to students or City Lit colleagues, many of whom have been taught by him, the first thing they do is smile. He is universally acknowledged as an inspiring teacher and a genuinely lovely person."

Peter, a keen River Thames mudlarker in his spare time, will also soon be publishing some of his own works.