British Sign Language for Beginners (Part 1)
| Module title | British Sign Language for Beginners (Part 1) |
|---|---|
| Module code | FLB1115A |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Mrs Beth Bartholomew () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
This module is intended for students who have little or no previous knowledge of British Sign Language and offers an introduction to BSL and Deaf Awareness. It will equip you with an elementary understanding of signs so as to engage in basic communicative situations. You will find this module particularly relevant if you are pursuing a career in teaching or health, or are in contact with deaf people on a personal/professional level. In order to take this module you will be expected to be fluent in English, and to have the ability to use your hands and mimics.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module is broadly equivalent to A1 Basic User level of the Common European Framework and aims to:
- Provide you with a solid foundation of the basic grammatical structures of British Sign Language, enabling you to communicate effectively through Productive Skills, Receptive Skills, and Conversational Skills at an elementary level on a variety of basic day-to-day topics.
- Enable you to give and understand basic information and to work towards a confident elementary level of communicative competence in everyday situations.
- Provide an introduction to Deaf Awareness.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an elementary understanding of the basic grammatical structures of BSL
- 2. Comprehend the language through receptive skills and be able to back-channel in conversations to demonstrate understanding of information related to a basic range of everyday situations
- 3. Communicate competently on a number of day-to-day topics through signed presentations and conversations
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Understand the principles of learning a new language and organise learning with guidance from the tutor
- 5. Use available learning aids in a variety of media, including English texts on BSL, BSL dictionaries and video resources, to consolidate learning
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Communicate at a basic level in BSL
- 7. Show evidence of self-study and research skills used to develop language skills
- 8. Demonstrate a basic level of Deaf Awareness in communication
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, the course will cover the following grammar and topics across the communication skills of reception, production and conversation:
Grammar:
- Fingerspelling
- Signing space
- Signing structure
- Handshapes
- Non-Manual Features (NMF)
- Movement & Direction
- Timelines (Past, Present & Future)
- Numbers
- Enumeration
- Pronouns
Topics:
- Introduction to BSL as a visual language
- Introduction to Deaf Awareness
- Greetings and Leave Takings
- Family and Describing People
- Describing the Home
- Weather
- Travel and Transport
- Directions
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | 117 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 33 | Language classes |
| Guided independent study | 117 | Consolidate learning in class by preparing exercises and activities for class, including presentations in BSL and short written assignments in English. Watching signed clips in BSL to develop receptive skills and develop vocabulary. Learning activities are supported by various media including written English texts, online videos and DVDs. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written assignment | 500 words | 1, 5, 7-8 | Written feedback |
| In-class presentation | 2 minutes | 1-8 | Oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 100 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test (productive skills) | 50 | 4-5 minutes | 1, 3-8 | Written feedback |
| Test (conversational skills) | 50 | 6-8 minutes | 1-8 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test (productive skills) | Test (productive skills) | 1, 3-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Test (conversational skills) | Test (conversational skills) | 1-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Main English text:
- Rachel Sutton-Spence and Bencie Woll, The Linguistics of British Sign Language: An Introduction, 1998
Recommended materials:
- Cath Smith, Let’s Sign Dictionary, 2nd Edition 2009
- Cath Smith, Signs Make Sense: A Guide to British Sign Language, 1990
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
A range of online and DVD video resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | September 2014 |
| Last revision date | 15/07/2020 |
