SERVICE DETAILS
COVID-19 INFORMATION
We take the safety of our students and tutors very seriously. As we are currently unsure what the government guidance will be in August, we have taken the decision to reduce the number of students accepted on to the in-house classes to 8 people instead of 16. This will ensure that social distancing can be observed in the classroom. Other hygiene measures are in place to ensure the safety of everyone who enters our building.
SQA Introduction to BSL (SCQF level 3)...
If you’re new to British Sign Language (BSL) the best place to start is with our SQA Introduction to BSL course.
This BSL course will provide you with a good introduction to the language and give you a solid foundation to build on as you progress through the levels. You don’t need any prior experience or knowledge before joining!
Course content
Throughout this BSL Introduction course, you will cover various topics including numbers & time, family and home life, travelling to work/holidays, giving directions, food & drink, hobbies, activities and shopping. You will also begin to learn how to structure sentences using BSL grammar and syntax, begin to use non-manual features (facial expression and body language) and learn how to describe the placement of objects, rooms within buildings and people.
Applications for the August 2020 term have closed. Next term will be February 2021. Applications will open mid-October.
Cost: In-house course - £350 / Online course - £280
For further information and to book, please see http://www.deafaction.org/our_courses/sqa-introduction-to-bsl-access-3.
SQA Level 1 BSL (SCQF 4)...
This course is designed for those who have completed the SQA Introduction to BSL course.
If you have not completed the Introduction course but do have experience of using BSL, you may be able to go straight into Level 1. This would apply to CODAs (children of deaf* adults) or siblings / other family members of BSL users. In this circumstance, you will need to attend a skills test with one of our tutors to assess which level you are best suited to joining. The skills test is free of charge. To book a skills test email learn@deafaction.org.
Course content
The Level 1 course builds on what you learned in your Introduction to BSL course. You will cover similar topics but go into more depth with the vocabulary and context. You will continue to develop your understanding of BSL grammar, syntax, non-manual features and your receptive skills.
Applications for the August 2020 term have closed. Next term will be February 2021. Applications will open mid-October.
Cost: In-house course - £350 / Online course - £280
For further information and to book, please see http://www.deafaction.org/our_courses/sqa-level-1-bsl.
SQA Level 2 BSL (SCQF 5)...
This course is designed for those who have completed the SQA Level 1 BSL course.
If you have not completed the Level 1 course but do have experience of using BSL, you may be able to go straight into Level 2. This would apply to CODAs (children of deaf* adults) or siblings / other family members of BSL users. In this circumstance, you will need to attend a skills test with one of our tutors to assess which level you are best suited to join. The skills test is free of charge. To book a skills test, email learn@deafacftion.org.
Course content
The Level 2 course builds on what you learned in your Level 1 course. You will cover a wider range of topics and continue to develop your understanding of BSL grammar, structure, syntax, non-manual features, role-shift, conversation skills, receptive skills, presentation skills and start looking at multi-channel signs, deaf culture, deaf issues and deaf history.
When entering level 2, you should be prepared to be challenged. You will learn to abandon ‘hearing concepts’ such as relying on vocabulary to communicate. You must think in pictures instead of words. Only then will you start to use true BSL and let go of the SSE mindset.
Applications for the August 2020 term have closed. Next term will be February 2021. Applications will open mid-October.
Cost: In-house course - £700 / Online course - £560
For further information and to book, please see http://www.deafaction.org/our_courses/sqa-level-2-bsl-intermediate-2.
SQA Level 3 BSL (SCQF 6)...
This course is designed for those who have completed the SQA Level 2 BSL course.
If you have not completed the Level 2 course with Deaf Action but do have experience of using BSL, you may be able to go straight into Level 3. This would apply to CODAs (children of Deaf adults), siblings / other family members of BSL users or those who completed their level 2 at another centre. Anyone who has not completed their level 2 course with Deaf Action will need to attend a skills test with one of our tutors to make sure your skills level is appropriate for our level 3 course (free of charge). To book a skills test, email learn@deafaction.org.
Course content
The Level 3 course builds on what you learned in your Level 2 course. You will cover a wider range of topics and go into more depth with linguistic devices – visual descriptions; non-manual features, multi-channel signs, role-shift, classifiers, placement, signing space, hand shapes, iconicity, directional verbs, negation and lip patterns. The course also incorporates an introduction to basic translation from BSL to English and vice-versa.
Applications for the August 2020 term have closed. Next term will be August 2021.
Course price - £800
For further information and to book, please see http://www.deafaction.org/our_courses/sqa-level-3-bsl-higher.
6 week taster course...
Stuck in the house and fancy trying something new?
Our live classes on zoom are taught by qualified tutors that are native BSL users and are ideal for anybody who is interested in learning BSL with signs that are used in Scotland.
This is the perfect introduction to BSL for those who are not ready to commit to a full SQA course or just want to learn some basics for fun!
August 2020 class cancelled due to lack up uptake. Details of next course coming soon.
Online course special price: £45.00 (normally £95:00)
Course content
- Introducing yourself, fingerspelling & numbers
- Family
- Live where?
- Travelling & Weather
- General hospitality & polite conversation
- Storytelling
**Progression after this Taster course takes you onto the SQA Introduction to BSL course (it does not qualify you to go straight into SQA Level 1).
Benefits of a live class rather than e-learning
You will be able to see and interact with not only the tutor but your classmates as well! This is the closest thing you’ll get to being in a classroom at the moment. You will have peer support through being able to practice with your classmates during class time. Instant access to your tutor if you have any questions – no long wait for an answer to a question!
Zoom
We are currently using the online video-conferencing application Zoom to run our classes.
We recommend using a tablet or laptop to access the class but it is not essential. If you can connect it up to your TV, even better!
You do not have to create a Zoom account to join the class, but to get the best experience we do recommend having one (it is free).
Book a place
Please see http://www.deafaction.org/our_courses/introduction-to-bsl.
If you have any questions concerning our courses, please call 0131 556 3128 or email learn@deafaction.org.
