British Sign Language for Beginners (Part 2)

Module title	British Sign Language for Beginners (Part 2)
Module code	FLB1115B
Academic year	2024/5
Credits	15
Module staff	Mrs Beth Bartholomew ()

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	10

Module description

The module is intended for students who have an elementary understanding of British Sign Language (BSL) and have completed British Sign Language for Beginners (Part 1) in Term 1. It will further your understanding of signs so as to engage in everyday 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 A2 Basic User level of the Common European Framework and aims to:

Reinforce and develop your understanding of the basic grammatical structures of British Sign Language, enabling you to communicate effectively through Productive Skills, Receptive Skills, and Conversational Skills at an improved elementary level on a variety of general topics.

Enable you to give and understand a broader range of basic information and to achieve a confident elementary level of communicative competence in everyday situations.

Develop your understanding and awareness of deafness and Deaf Culture.

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 basic 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 new language 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 a basic 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

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

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)
Question forms
Movement & Direction
Timelines (Past, Present & Future)
Numbers
Enumeration
Verbs
Nouns
Adjectives
Describing verbs using NMF
Pronouns

Topics

Pets and Animals
Hobbies and Interests
Food and Drink

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
33	117	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching	33	Language classes
Guided independent study	117	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	500 words	1, 5, 7-8	Written feedback
Presentation	3 minutes	1-8	Oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
0	0	100

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Test (productive)	50	4-5 minutes	1, 3-8	Written feedback
Test (conversational)	50	7-8 minutes	1-8	Written feedback
	0
	0
	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
Test (productive)	Test (productive)	1, 3-8	Referral/Deferral period
Test (conversational)	Test (conversational)	1-8	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

Main English text:

Rachel Sutton-Spence and Bencie Woll, The Linguistics of British Sign Language: An Introduction, 1998

Recommended materials:

Cath Smith, Let’s Sign Dictionary, 2^nd 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=11583

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

A range of online and DVD video resources

Key words search

BSL, British Sign Language, Beginner

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	FLB1115A: British Sign Language for Beginners (Part 1)
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	2014
Last revision date	15/07/2020