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)
  • Two-term module
  • Not available as part of I-Explore
  • Non-credit only
How to enrol
The module aims to:
  • cover the very basics of 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;
  • cover a selected range of topics, using both classroom time and online resources;
  • provide insights into the nature of the British Deaf community, its culture, and language.

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

On successful completion of this module, you will be better prepared to:
  • engage in everyday communicative situations; e.g. greetings, finding your way, telling the time and date, describing the weather, people and activities;
  • construct and follow short narratives in BSL, using simple syntax covering topics like: home, the family, workplaces and leisure activities;
  • demonstrate deaf awareness and sensitivity to deaf norms in a hearing-centric society in your communicative interactions;
  • adapt your production according to the register.
In this introductory module, you will cover the following topics:
  • interactions
  • greetings & farewells
  • days of the week
  • the time and dates
  • describing the weather
  • family life and the home
  • leisure activities & interests
  • daily routines
  • giving directions
  • education
  • work and volunteering

In line with active learning methodologies, in-class activities cover pair work, group work, individual tasks, as well as plenary activities. New content will be practised and tested in class on an individual/pair and group basis. Weekly homework tasks and self-study resources posted on the VLE will give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate your knowledge and skills at your pace, in preparation for each session. Formative feedback will be provided throughout, either in the classroom or in written form.

  • Coursework (20%): End of autumn term (to be handed in at the start of spring term). Task-based portfolio set in the VLE, including BSL phonology, deaf culture questions and a reflective task (approx. 100 words).
  • Coursework (20%): Mid-spring term (to be handed in toward the the end of spring term). Independent research project (abstract, questionnaire, data presentation) approx. 600-700 words total for written component.
  • Practical (60%): Spring/summer terms. Conversation, testing productive and receptive skills in BSL (12-15 mins).

The summative assessment consists of a practical (BSL conversation) at the end of the spring term, as well as two pieces of coursework designed to support your independent skills development (Coursework 1) and to offer you the opportunity to explore areas of personal interest through research (Coursework 2).

Your coursework will be marked and returned within two weeks. Rubrics and revision guidance (how-to guides) will be included in the briefing. You will receive detailed written feedback, alongside suggestions for improvement and an overall percentage showing your provisional grade.

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

BSL advice

Contact the lecturer
Mrs Nikiaisha Thompson
nikiaisha.thompson@imperial.ac.uk 

British Sign Language Level 2