How BSL enhances our language and

develops Deaf identity.

•Nikki James

True or False?• Deaf people cannot talk• Deaf people can read Braille• Deaf people are different• Some deaf people use sign language• Deaf people cannot enjoy music• Deaf people can hear everything with their hearing aids or cochlear

implants on

• Deaf people can go to university and have a job• Deaf people cannot drive cars• All deaf people can lip-read• Deaf people can’t use the phone• Deaf people are not smart• Deaf people do not watch TV because they can’t hear it

Aim of Session

• To focus on the importance of language acquisition for a deaf student. • Examine how Exeter Deaf Academy supports deaf children to develop

in a bilingual environment.• Examine how Exeter Deaf Academy develops links between home and

school to allow the student to achieve their full potential.

Deafness

Pre-lingual Deafness

• This can greatly affect the student’s ability to use English. It is harder to acquire spoken and written language because the exposure/interaction to language and grammar is severely limited. • As they become adults, spoken language skills and understanding of abstract concepts may be less developed. Sign language may therefore be their first or preferred language.• Maths and other more abstract subjects can also be difficult to grasp, mainly due to the language involved.

Post-lingual Deafness

• The student will have already acquired English language skills in both spoken and written English before their hearing loss develops. They will have already learned how to speak, read and write and will normally want to continue with English as their preferred or first language.

Communication

Why we support students to develop bilingually?

• We provide Sign bilingualism – using BSL and spoken/written language at Exeter Deaf Academy. Why do we use this?

• Difficulty achieving a sense of belonging • Social isolation• Nerves or anxiety with every day communication• Withdrawal

English Idioms

What is British Sign Language?• British Sign Language is a language in its own right.• It has its own syntax and vocabulary• BSL has its own structure and grammar. • It is NOT a signed version of English. • It has its own regional variations just the same as spoken English.• Other countries have their own sign language e.g. ASL is American

Sign Language.

• British Sign Language is a visual-gestural language. Deaf people have been using it for hundreds of years.• A hearing child learns language by hearing sounds and words. A deaf

child cannot learn in the same way as the hearing child. To have access to BSL means that a deaf child can learn language through BSL.• You can use natural gestures.• Use pointing to clarify communication.• Facial expression is important in BSL.

Facial expressions

• Facial expressions are used for communication for deaf students. Hearing people use emotion and intonation in their voice. We use emotion within our facial expression.

• Think of an object you like.• Think of an object you don’t like.

BSL Communication

•Touching

•Eye Gaze

•Pointing

BSL Qualification TableLevel Informal learning Qualifications (non-

accredited) Accredited qualifications

Informal Deaf club or signing group

Entry 1,2 and 3 Introduction to BSL/Family Sign Language

NVQ 1/GCSE D-G BSL Level 1

NVQ 2/GCSE A*-C BSL Level 2

NVQ 3/A level BSL Level 3

Certificate of Higher Education HNC/NVQ4

BSL Level 4

Intermediate HNC HND/Foundation Degree Honours degree BSL Level 6

Lip Reading

Only 25% of words can be lip read - some grammatical structures & sounds are impossible to lip read.

Some people cannot be lip read as foreign or regional accents, beards, moustaches or facial coverings make lip reading impossible.

Gestures

• Use gestures and mime to perform these activities without using your voice:• Planting a seed in your garden.• Blowing up a balloon that pops!• Reading a book.• Making a phone call.• Riding a bike.

How we support Students and Parents

at Home

Family Sign Language Weekend What’s included:• To explore ways to develop visual communication with deaf children• Family• Communicating with people• Feelings• Things we do every day • Outdoors• Toys and games• Mealtimes

Deaf Teenagers DayWhat's included:• School, college and jobs• Technology• Food and fitness• Mind• Self-esteem and body image• Relationships• Sexual health• Slang signs and phrases in BSL• Deaf community and belonging

SummaryThe deaf student will always be deaf. Cochlear implants and hearing aids are great technology for deaf people to use to access sound and for some to access speech, but at the end of the day when they take their implants and aids off, they are still deaf. Here at the Deaf Academy, we know students and their family comes as a package, so we want to support them all in both BSL and English to give the student the best start in life. Keep a look out for our free Family Sign Language weekends, contact the Deaf Academy for more information, which will support family members and professionals to communicate with their child.