A JAPANESE student who overcame both the language barrier and deafness has been awarded a top degree in Manchester - despite not speaking a word of English.

Kenichiro Onishi - known as Ken - lost his hearing at the age of two. He came to study at the University of Manchester with only a working knowledge of English.

But he has now gained a prestigious masters degree in politics with merit thanks to his determination to understand the language.

Kenichiro, 29, from Himeji, near Kobe, does not speak English or use British sign language, but has an excellent grasp of the written word.

University staff provided him with an audio-typist who recorded what was said during lessons into a laptop computer.

Ken was able to participate in seminars by reading what had been written into the computer - and then typing back his own response, which the audio-typist read out to the rest of the class.

The support meant he could fully participate in classes, listening to the views of his tutors and fellow students as well as making his own opinions known.

He said: "I have been profoundly deaf since I was a baby. I knew some English from my education in Japan, but I had to learn to develop this into academic English for my studies.

'Determined'

"But it was very difficult for me as Japanese and English are very different. I think hearing people would be shocked if they realised how much they rely on hearing for the simplest of tasks. However, I used my disability to make me more determined to learn English."

Ken now plans to continue his studies with a PhD and hopes his success in gaining a top degree will inspire other disabled people not to be put off university.

He said: "I really want to study law or international relations to prove to myself and the community that they should not be afraid to take up further education. So many give up at the first hurdle, fearing their disability will get in the way."

There are 2,000 students at the university registered as disabled. Staff offer support services including software for blind, visually-impaired and dyslexic students and wheelchair-adapted lecture theatres.

Disability co-ordinator Pat Horrocks said: "There was a lot of scepticism when Ken came into the classes, but he has really done well and has had a great determination to succeed."

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