Teen launches course teaching Fifers how to sign songs

Windygates girl Layla Cooke, who has hearing difficulties, films herself performing sign language versions of popular songs, garnering thousands of views online and attracting the attention of stars including Lewis Capaldi and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Now the 14-year-old is teaching others how to sign songs, running a weekly course at the Kirkcaldy Fife College campus, between 6-7pm.

Since launching the group two weeks ago, Layla has been teaching her students how to sign ‘Dance Monkey’ as well as basic British Sign Language (BSL).

The course is open to anyone over the age of 13, whether they have hearing difficulties or not.

“There is hardly anything like this in Scotland,” she said. “It would be more inclusive for everyone.”

Layla has spoken to one her teachers at Auchmuty HS about setting up a lunch-time club to share her skills.

She also met local MSP Jenny Gilruth last week to discuss how BSL could be fitted in with schools and music.

Layla said she “misses out” on some things, whether it is at big events like gigs or just chats among friends, because of her hearing difficulties, and that teaching BSL would “be a more inclusive way of opening up communication”.

To find out more about the group, search for BSL Cooke on Facebook.