Module MLAN1351: BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE STAGE 3

Department: Modern Language and Cultures (CFLS)

MLAN1351: BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE STAGE 3

Prerequisites

• British Sign Language II or CACDP Level 2 and internal pre-assessment

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To develop and establish in students fluency in the use of British Sign Language in a variety of social situations, domains and registers.
• advanced knowledge of the structure and function of British Sign Language.
• appreciation of the Deaf community and Deaf culture.
• awareness and appreciation of the many and varied groups within the Deaf community who use sign language for communication.

Content

• The course will enable the students to further develop their knowledge of BSL and their ability to use key linguistic aspects of British Sign Language:
• sign order, productive and frozen lexicon.
• tense and aspectual markers: multi-channel signs.
• non-manual features.
• classifiers.
• location.
• role shift.
• interrogative.
• affirmative and negative forms.
• regional variation.
• The course will provide students with an understanding of the conventions associated with communicating in BSL and issues relating to language use in the Deaf community.

Learning Outcomes

• knowledge of how to use sign language in a range of different specialised and everyday contexts
• knowledge of sign language sufficient to converse on a range of topics
• sign order
• productive and frozen lexicon, tense and aspectual markers
• multi-channel signs
• non-manual features
• classifiers.location
• role shift
• interrogative, affirmative and negative forms.
• regional variation.
• The course will provide students with an understanding of the conventions associated with communicating in BSL and issues relating to language use in the Deaf community.

• maintain an advanced conversation in British Sign Language on a range of topics using key linguistic aspects of BSL.
• use British Sign Language fluently (demonstrating their knowledge of key linguistic aspects) for a range of functions.
• comprehend the use of British Sign Language in a variety of settings and registers.
• summarise presentations in British Sign Language.
• give a formal presentation in British Sign Language on a topic relating to the Deaf community or Deaf culture.
• give up to date information in British Sign Language on current issues and activities within the Deaf community.

• autonomous language learning
• targeted academic reading
• cross-cultural communication
• presentation skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• In preparation for each session students will be expected to prepare a set of materials, either individually or in small groups, which will be presented and discussed during class time in BSL.
• Small seminar groups and working in pairs allows students to develop their use of BSL in relation to a range of topics and their understanding of BSL by a range of different users.
• British Sign Language does not have a written form and therefore extensive use is made of video technology to present information about BSL and the Deaf community.
• The use of video is also central to evaluating student progression in relation to both comprehension and production.
• Students will sign to camera and undertake comprehension exercises based on BSL videos, which will be discussed with the student in feedback sessions with the course tutor.
• The assessment scheme for this module is designed to test students' communication skills and their level of attainment in BSL production and reception.
• Summative in-course assessment will fulfil a formative function since feedback on all summative in-course assessment will be made available to students.
• The course is taught through the target language thereby enhancing the students' learning.
• The assessments address both comprehension and production.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Each student will be required to give five minute presentation in BSL to the class each term. Assessment exercises relevant to the particular aspects of the language being covered are incorporated in each class.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University