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: Twice a week
- Group size: Maximum of 23 students per seminar group and 10-15 students per tutorial group
- Module Leader: Adam Summerscales
Description
This unit aims to consolidate 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 expand their 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 further 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 Level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
- Show understanding of the highest frequency vocabulary for basic everyday interactions (eg discussing personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment), and catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.
- Be able to extract key information from short, simple texts and written documents (messages, notices, instructions, brochures, etc.)
- Interact at a basic level in routine, predictable communicative exchanges and coping with unfamiliar language or unexpected responses by asking for repetition or clarification.
- Write simple notes, messages and short personal letters or emails providing or requesting essential information.
- Demonstrate a basic insight into the most common aspects of the culture and everyday life in areas where the language is spoken so as to respond appropriately when interacting in simple situations.
- 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.
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