LA1PB2: IWLP British Sign Language 2

Module code: LA1PB2

Module provider: Languages and Cultures; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Ms Suzanne Smith, email: suzanne.smith@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): LA1PB1 or equivalent (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE LA1PB1 OR TAKE LA1PB3 (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module enables students of any year of study to develop their skills in communicating with Deaf people using British Sign Language (BSL) in a range of everyday situations. It builds on what the students have learnt from Stage 1 and continues the development of the key skills of signing and understanding.

This course is aimed at students who have some basic knowledge of BSL – equivalent to Stage 1. On successful completion of the course students will have achieved CEFR Level A2/A2+

The module aims at providing students with:

• the ability to communicate within defined situations while developing tools to enable students to respond to unexpected occurrences.  
• understanding of different perspectives and cultural differences in a variety of situations.
• knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, developing strategies for understanding and practising signing.

Our small, interactive classes are designed to equip students with communicative language skills in an engaging way.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Communicate in BSL by signing at a basic to intermediate level
2. Obtain specific details in general from deaf people signing in filmed clips, etc.
3. Apply a wider range of grammatical structure variations via making appropriate use of the BSL dictionaries
4. Enhance own understanding of Deaf culture and Deafhood with BSL language development and regional variations

Module content

The module will introduce the language and develop the communicative skills required to exchange longer and more varied personal information and participation in selected areas of everyday life relevant to communicating with signing deaf people. Topics include a more in-depth understanding of the nature of language and language learning; with enough understanding of grammar to cope with some non-routine communication. A steady introduction to linguistics of BSL with exposure to BSL regional variations. Also, further study of Deaf culture including an introduction to Deafhood.

Students will be involved in regular group activities and role playing to develop signing skills. They will make progress through developing skills of self-study and application and will develop an awareness of and sensitivity to Deaf culture and a basic understanding of the history of sign language. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The course provides a systematic approach to acquiring essential grammar structures in a communicative context. Teaching methods are based on interactive language development tasks, such as group work and role playing, and include the study of short signed clips, oral development work and receptive comprehension exercises. Language focus sessions and guided independent learning activities play also an important part. Learning activities are supported by a variety of digital and printed media such as filmed clips) and, where appropriate, computer software. The module is taught as far as possible in the target language.

Support is given and adjustments are made for students with disabilities.

Study hours

At least 60 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

In order to consolidate and develop their language learning, students are encouraged to complete regular tasks – in class and outside – on whichongoingfeedback is provided.Additional feedback, with opportunityforself-reflection and feedforward is provided in week 11 of Semester 1,through tests and other tasks to be included in the Portfolio.

Reassessment

Additional costs