51³Ô¹ÏÍø

On successful completion of this module, you will be better prepared to:

• use British Sign Language fluently and accurately in a range of formal and informal situations, drawing on appropriate grammatical structures, effective use of classifiers, multichannel signs (MCS), and nonmanual features (NMFs);
• apply Deaf cultural norms and culturally appropriate communication strategies, including effective turn-taking, when interacting across different audiences, purposes and registers;
• participate confidently in debates, structured discussions and two-way conversations in BSL, selecting suitable styles, registers and communication methods for the context;
• analyse and apply key theoretical perspectives in BSL linguistics—including morphology, morphemes, handshape, movement, location, orientation and nonmanual features - to explain how meaning is constructed and modified;
• interpret meaning accurately between English and BSL, demonstrating advanced receptive skills, command of topic-specific vocabulary, and awareness of culturally current issues relevant to the Deaf community.

This module develops intermediate British Sign Language skills, focusing on fluent and accurate communication in formal and informal settings. Your grammatical accuracy will be strengthened by developing your awareness of sophisticated aspects of BSL such as classifiers multi-channel signs and non-manual features, while embedding Deaf cultural norms.

Theoretical perspectives of BSL morphonology and morphemes will be integrated to support your understanding of how meaning is structured in BSL. You will develop your receptive skills through debate and discussion tasks and your productive skills through translation tasks (English to BSL) which will broaden your vocabulary range. In-class topics and assignments will be linked to contemporary and ethical issues within the Deaf community.

Learning and teaching within this module will incorporate a range of inclusive and interactive methods to support the development of advanced British Sign Language skills. Active learning strategies such as practical signing activities and problem-solving tasks will be used to encourage engagement. Team-based and collaborative learning will support peer interaction, discussion, and shared learning, particularly within debates and group work. Teacher-centred instruction will be used where appropriate to introduce new theoretical concepts, including BSL morphophonology and morphemes.

The module will also use experiential and kinaesthetic learning, recognising the visual-spatial and physical nature of BSL. You will develop skills through movement, role-play, and real-life communication scenarios. Game-based learning will be incorporated to reinforce vocabulary, receptive skills, and grammatical accuracy in an engaging and motivating way. Discovery learning will encourage you to explore language patterns, cultural norms and ethical issues independently and collaboratively, whilst developing critical thinking and deeper understanding.
 
Together, these approaches create a learner-centred environment that promotes fluency, confidence and reflective practice in British Sign Language.

Your coursework will be marked and returned in 2-3 weeks. Rubrics and revision guidance (document guidance) will be included, as needed. You will receive detailed feedback alongside suggestions for improvement and an overall percentage showing your provisional grade for that assessment.

• Coursework (20%): Mid-autumn term (to be handed in toward the end of autumn term). Independent written research project on a d/Deaf related issue in their professional/ academic context (approx. 1,200-1,500 words total).
• Coursework (30%): End of autumn term (to be handed in at the start of spring term). Signed translation portfolio: receptive task (translation from BSL into English) and a productive task (translation from English into BSL) (video upload approx. 10 min). 
• Practical (50%): Summer term. Paired conversation/ role play with a deaf facilitator (approx. 20 mins total: in-person real-life environment).

The module uses a balanced combination of formative and summative assessment to support the development of both receptive and productive BSL skills. Formative assessment is embedded throughout the module through weekly homework tasks, in‑class practice and feedback. You will engage with theoretical perspectives that inform BSL linguistics - such as phonology, morphology, deaf norms, MCS, and NMF - which will help you to apply complex vocabulary and improve syntax across informal and formal topics relevant to the d/Deaf community. Pair and group activities provide frequent opportunities to develop conversational fluency, encouraging natural language production and supporting your analytical understanding of BSL structure.

Summative assessment mirrors authentic BSL use and consists of: a research-focused exploration on a topic relevant to your context (Coursework 1); at-home practice of receptive, productive and translation skills (Coursework 2); and a paired practical assessment in the summer term designed to showcase your linguistic progression, cultural competence, and ability to use BSL confidently in real‑world contexts.

• 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
• Available to take for credit towards your degree, where your department allows. Also available for extra credit. The Module options by department page has a full list of the credit options.
• You must be prepared to attend all classes and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.