British Sign Language Intermediate
| Module title | British Sign Language Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Module code | FLB2230 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Miss Emily Wakley (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
This module is intended for students who have an understanding at an intermediate level in British Sign Language (BSL) and have completed British Sign Language for Beginners (Part 1) and (Part 2). It will expand your knowledge of signs in a range of elementary and sophisticated 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 C Proficient User level of the Common European Framework and aims to:
- Reinforce and develop your understanding of the grammatical structures at a competent level in British Sign Language, enabling you to communicate effectively through Productive Skills, Receptive Skills, and Conversational Skills at an intermediate level on a variety of general topics.
- Enable you to give and understand a broader spectrum of information and to achieve a confident intermediate level of communicative competence in everyday situations.
- Develop your understanding and awareness of deafness and Deaf Culture
- Develop your understanding and awareness of the differences in Spoken and Signed Languages.
- Develop your understanding and awareness of the differences between Formal and Informal signing styles
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a sound grasp of the grammatical structures of BSL
- 2. Comprehend the language through receptive skills and to be able to back-channel in conversations to demonstrate understanding of information related to everyday situations
- 3. Communicate effectively on a range of general 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 language with uses of semantics 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 an improving level in BSL
- 7. Show evidence of self-study and research skills used to develop language skills
- 8. Demonstrate a good understanding of Deaf Awareness in communication
Syllabus plan
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)
Classifiers
Movement & Direction
Placements and Referents
Timelines (Past, Present & Future)
Verbs: Plain, Agreement & Spatial
Adjectives
Describing verbs using NMF
Appropriate Mouth pattern
Connectors
Register
Plurals
Topics
Travel and Holidays
Shopping and Consumer Issues
Eating and Drinking Out
Deaf History and Culture
Education
University Life
Jobs and Work
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | 234 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 66 | Language classes |
| Guided independent study | 254 | 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 based on own research | 1000 words | 4-5, 7-8 | Written feedback |
| Presentation | 3-5 minute presentation | 1, 3-8 | Oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 20 | 80 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation in BSL (Term 1) | 20 | 3-5 minute presentation | 1-2, 4-8 | Written feedback |
| Presentation in BSL (Term 2) | 30 | 5-6 minute presentation | 1-2, 4-8 | Written feedback |
| Conversation in BSL (Term 2) | 30 | 5-6 minute conversation | 1-8 | Written feedback |
| Test (linguistics) | 20 | 1 hour written test | 1, 4-5, 7-8 | Written feedback |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation in BSL (Term 1) | Presentation | 1-2, 4-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Presentation in BSL (Term 2) | Presentation | 1-2, 4-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Conversation in BSL (Term 2) | Conversation | 1-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Test (linguistics) | Test (linguistics) | 1, 4-5, 7-8 | 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
- Rachel Sutton-Spence and Bencie Woll, The Linguistics of British Sign Language: An Introduction, 1998
- 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
- ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11249
- A range of online and DVD video resources
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | FLB1115A: British Sign Language for Beginners (Part 1) and FLB1115B: British Sign Language for Beginners (Part 2) |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 2016 |
| Last revision date | 16/02/2022 |
