British Sign Language Beginner 1 (MLT901)
Based on 22/24 hours of interactive seminars, the unit also comprises 78 hours of monitored private study.
- University credits: 10
- University levels: 1-4
- Pre-requisite: No previous learning experience
- Co-requisite: N/A.
- Availability: Students, members of staff, members of the public
- Teaching period: Autumn semester (see timetables & course dates)
- Contact times: 2 hours per week over 11 weeks, starting in Week 1 of the semester.
- Group size: Maximum of 15
- Language Co-ordinator: Anna Ferrarese
- Module Leader: Adam Summerscales
- Pathway: MLT902 British Sign Language Beginner 2
Assuming no prior knowledge of the language, this unit aims to provide a general foundation in British Sign Language (BSL) and the culture of the Deaf community in order to cope with a range of predictable, everyday communicative situations encountered when interacting at a basic level with Deaf people.
Through 22 hours of small group interactive and practical seminars and 78 hours of monitored private study, learners will gain basic skills and confidence in producing sign language using hand gestures and facial expressions, as well as recognising and understanding these, in relation to a number of simple social or professional contexts (greetings and family, numbers and colours, asking for directions, etc.). An introduction to Deaf awareness and culture is also provided, and learners will be encouraged to take part in related events organised in the Sheffield area.
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.
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- perform at a level equivalent to A1- of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- understand and converse in short, simple sentence communication in BSL in basic, routine situations related to work and socialising, using basic BSL vocabulary and grammar as appropriate.
- demonstrate a basic understanding of main issues related to the Deaf community.
- demonstrate awareness in a number of transferable skills such as IT skills, presenting information, handling unexpected communicative situations, taking intercultural differences and language barriers into account, learning independently, etc.
Set Textbook:
- Tbc.
This module can be validated as part of the following schemes:
- Undergraduate degree
- MLTC Confirmation of Attendance or Completion
- Higher Education Achievement Record
- Doctoral Development Programme and Research Training Programme
Assessment:
- Signed Individual task and reflection: 30%
- Conversation task: 35%
- Reflective mini essay: 35%
Feedback: In addition to on-going individual and collective feedback during class-activities, learners will receive individual written feedback on the three pieces of assessment above.
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.
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