British Sign Language (BSL) Beginner (LAS1145)
Overview
- University credits: 20
- FHEQ level: 5
- Availability: Students, members of staff, members of the public
- Frequency of class: Once a week
- Group size: Maximum of 15
- Module Leader: Adam Summerscales
Description
This unit aims to develop a general foundation in British Sign Language (BSL) and the culture of the Deaf community in order to participate in a range of mostly predictable, everyday communicative situations encountered when interacting with sympathetic Deaf people.
Learners will develop and expand basic skills and confidence in producing and understanding sign language, using appropriate grammar and vocabulary, in relation to a number of everyday social or professional communicative situations and topics (food, clothing, jobs and hobbies, travel, people, etc.). The culture and history of the Deaf community are explored and learners are encouraged to take part in related events organised in the Sheffield area or online.
This course may be of particular interest to students seeking a career in health or education, those interacting with deaf people through work, friends, or family, or linguists keen to explore an unfamiliar language and culture.
Learning outcomes
- Perform at a level equivalent to A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- Sustain a fairly prolonged and fluid conversation on familiar social or work-related topics in BSL, recognizing simple shades of meaning and communicating ideas of some complexity in simple ways.
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of current issues related to the Deaf community and an awareness of current cultural trends.
- Demonstrate awareness in a number of transferable skills such as IT skills, presentation tools, handling unexpected communicative situations, taking intercultural differences and language barriers into account, and pursuing self-guided study.
Assessment
Credited students
TBC
Not-for-credit fee-waiver students
Mandatory assessment to be completed in order to qualify for fee-waiver.
Not-for-credit self-funded students
Assessment is not mandatory.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it is up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research, funding changes, professional accreditation requirements, student or employer feedback, outcomes of reviews, and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Information last updated: