Level 1 Award in British Sign Language Studies Course Information Pack 2015 Becoming Visible 1
British Sign Language Teaching at Becoming Visible Becoming Visible has been delivering British Sign Language Courses since 2003 over 12 years of experience and expertise to support our learners. In 2005, we were selected by the British Deaf Association to pilot the UK s first new Deaf/ Cultural led British Sign language Curriculum from Beginners to Advanced Level. The curriculum is the Deaf Community s preferred resource for teaching British Sign language at all levels. The curriculum is approved by the UK s leading Deaf experts in British Sign Language research, teaching and assessing. British Sign Language Teachers Becoming Visible only uses qualified* British Sign Language Teachers and Trainers and guest lecturers in various teaching modules linked to your level of BSL learning. The teachers have a professional teaching qualification, are DBS cleared, regularly checked for CPD and are also volunteer their time outside of teaching to run the popular BSL Café at Costa café in St Mary s Place, Newcastle upon Tyne. They are committed to providing the best quality teaching and support for our learners, enhancing your experience of practising your language skills in and outside of the classroom. qualified* = we adhere to the guidelines set down by ABSLTA: Association of British Sign Language Teachers and Assessors Awarding Body Becoming Visible believes that the best teaching comes from within the Deaf Community and BSL teachers are proficient and fluent in both BSL and Deaf Culture as teaching is about sharing both the language and the fascinating world of Deaf culture. For this reason, our Awarding Body is another Deafled OFQUAL approved Awarding Body The Institute of British Sign Language (ibsl). Becoming Visible 2
The Awarding Body is led by Deaf BSL experts in teaching and assessing. The qualifications provided by ibsl is equivalent (if not better) than other Awarding Bodies who provide assessments in British Sign Language. ibsl does not have NVQs because the main focus of learning BSL is everyday language use at home, work and social life. This reflects the different backgrounds of learners who come onto our courses and obtain their qualifications. Signworld Becoming Visible uses online learning in addition to its course teaching and optional events to enable you to continue to practise and develop your British Sign Language Skills. Our preferred online learning platform is www.signworldlearn.com Like Becoming Visible and ibsl, Signworld is a Deaf-led business and uses only native users of British Sign Language. Your one year subscription at your course level to Signworld is already included in your course fee. British Sign Language Café & Monthly Speaker events We run a monthly café at our partner café, Costa Coffee where people who are Deaf and our learners meet to have a relaxing time and practise their signing. There are also fun activities such as bingo and games happening each month. Our teaching team are also in attendance to provide support. In addition to this we run a monthly speaker event at Mea House in Newcastle where learners are encouraged to attend to find out more about the Deaf community. Becoming Visible 3
Level 1 Award in British Sign Language Studies To teach at Level 1 we use one of our team of qualified and experienced Deaf teachers. They will help you to develop your British Sign Language to a level where you can use your language skills for basic every day conversation. The teaching will be in a Deaf environment where you can also develop your understanding and knowledge of Deaf culture. The course will incorporate a variety of teaching methods, suitable for learning language at a foundation level; there will be a mixture of online support, group work, individual work and working in pairs. Our courses are popular and carry the highest pass rate in the region! Topics that you will be taught include the following: Meeting and greeting (people) Numbers (using time, dates, currency and objects) Family and Friends (family tree) Work and Transport Food and Drink (Eating out) Getting Around Weather Going on holiday and Transport Leisure Activities You will study three units throughout the course and to achieve the full qualification, you will also be required to pass an assessment for each of these units: IBSL1A1: Receptive Skills in BSL IBSL1A2: Descriptive Skills in BSL IBSL1A3: Conversational Skills in BSL Becoming Visible 4
Qualification Specification: As with all the courses provided by BV training the course will culminate, if you choose to, in the Institute of British Sign Language s Qualification (OFQUAL Level 1) (www.ibsl.org.uk) please click below for ibsl s Level 1 Qualification Specification and Assessment Procedure. http://ibsl.org.uk/html/qlf/bslstudies.html Previous experience/ skills required? No prior experience or skills are needed for this course. Want to apply? Please click here to register your place on our Level 1 course. http://becomingvisible.co.uk/learning/course-registration/ British Sign Language Progression route This is the natural progression route for people wanting to achieve BSL qualifications at various levels. Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 6 Beginners Level Intermediate Level Advanced Level When you have achieved your Level 6, you can progress onto an Interpreting course. Becoming Visible 5