British Sign Language Level 1

Hands

A beginner’s module to equip participants with a basic competence of everyday interaction with deaf people who use Sign Language

Module details

  • Offered to 1st & 2nd Years
  • Monday or Tuesday 16.00-18.00
    (depending on year of study)
  • Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
  • 2 term module
  • Not available as part of I-Explore
  • Non-credit only
How to enrol

The module aims to:

  • Cover very basic British Sign Language (BSL)
  • Equip you with a basic competence of everyday interaction with deaf people who use Sign Language
  • Provide an introduction into the grammatical structure of British Sign Language
  • Provide insights into the British Deaf community, its culture and language

A selected range of topics will be covered using both classroom time and online resources.

To be eligible for this module you need to have no previous experience in learning British Sign Language. 

Please note: The information on this module description is indicative. The module may undergo minor modifications before the start of next academic year. 

Information blocks

Learning outcomes

On succesful completion of the module, you will be able to:

  • Engage in everyday communicative situations e.g. greetings, finding your way, telling the time and date, describe the weather, people and activities;
  • Construct and follow short narratives in BSL about generic topics e.g. the home, the family, the workplace and leisure activities;
  • Recognise and apply the basic linguistic features of BSL and appreciate the history and culture of the British Deaf; community, and the implications of being Deaf in a hearing world;
  • Reflect on your progress and pursue further study.

 

Indicative core content

In this module, you will cover the following topics:

  • interactions;
  • greetings & farewell;
  • numbers, days of the week, weather;
  • family;
  • home;
  • time;
  • dates;
  • money;
  • leisure activities & interests;
  • daily routine;
  • directions;
  • education;
  • work, voluntary work.

Learning and teaching approach

In line with modern foreign languages communicative and active learning methodologies, the in-class activities you will complete will cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). These will include pair work and groupwork (dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion), individual tasks, discovery and formulation of grammatical rules, work with texts, etc. Homework and coursework tasks will give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate your knowledge and skills and to develop your awareness of how to use language learning tools independently. Our approach not only ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks and activities, but also seeks to support different learning styles.

Your tests will be marked and returned within two weeks. Rubrics and revision guidance (how-to guides) will be included as needed. You will receive detailed feedback alongside suggestions for improvement and an overall percentage showing your provisional grade for that assessment.

Assessment

  • Practical (80%): Conversation in BSL (approx. 12-15 minutes at the end of spring term).
  • Examination (15%): Multiple-choice test, on Blackboard.
  • Examination (5%): Multiple-choice test, on Blackboard.

Key information

  • ECTS value: 0
  • Requirements: You must be prepared to attend all classes and to spend about an hour a week preparing for each session