Signing and Receiving Skills in British Sign Language — SEG Awards English For Speakers of Other Languages ESOL & Literacy Revision

    This topic covers basic signing and receiving skills in British Sign Language (BSL) at Entry 2 level. Learners will form basic phrases, recognise short phr

    Topic Synopsis

    This topic covers basic signing and receiving skills in British Sign Language (BSL) at Entry 2 level. Learners will form basic phrases, recognise short phrases, and take part in simple interactions.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Signing and Receiving Skills in British Sign Language

    SEG AWARDS
    vocational

    This topic covers basic signing and receiving skills in British Sign Language (BSL) at Entry 2 level. Learners will form basic phrases, recognise short phrases, and take part in simple interactions.

    1
    Learning Outcomes
    3
    Assessment Guidance
    3
    Key Skills
    1
    Key Terms
    5
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    SEG Awards Entry Level Award in Signing and Receiving Skills in British Sign Language (Entry 2)

    Topic Overview

    The SEG Awards Entry Level Award in Signing and Receiving Skills in British Sign Language (Entry 2) is a foundational qualification designed to develop basic communication skills in BSL. It focuses on the ability to sign and understand simple, everyday language in familiar contexts, such as greetings, personal information, and common activities. This award is ideal for beginners who have little or no prior experience with BSL and want to build confidence in using the language for practical purposes.

    This qualification is part of the wider ESOL & Literacy framework, but it specifically targets visual-gestural communication rather than spoken or written English. It is assessed through practical demonstrations of signing and receiving skills, requiring learners to produce and understand a limited range of signs, including fingerspelling, numbers, and basic sentence structures. Mastery of this award provides a stepping stone to higher levels of BSL proficiency and supports inclusive communication in diverse settings.

    Studying this award matters because it promotes equality and access for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. By learning BSL, students contribute to a more inclusive society and can apply these skills in social, educational, or vocational contexts. The qualification also enhances cognitive flexibility and cultural awareness, making it a valuable addition to any learner's portfolio.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Manual alphabet and fingerspelling: Knowing the handshapes for each letter to spell names, places, and unfamiliar words.
    • →Basic vocabulary: Common signs for greetings, family, numbers, colours, and everyday objects.
    • →Non-manual features: Using facial expressions, head movements, and body language to convey meaning and grammar.
    • →Simple sentence structures: Subject-verb-object order, and using questions (e.g., raising eyebrows for yes/no questions).
    • →Receptive skills: Understanding signs from a communication partner, including distinguishing similar signs.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Be able to form basic phrases in British Sign Language, Be able to recognise basic words / short phrases expressed in British Sign Language, Be able to take part in a simple interaction in British Sign Language

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Forms basic phrases using correct BSL grammar.
    • Recognises basic words and short phrases expressed in BSL.
    • Takes part in a simple interaction with appropriate responses.
    • Uses facial expressions and non-manual features correctly.
    • Demonstrates understanding of BSL sentence structure.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Practice fingerspelling and common signs daily.
    • 💡Watch BSL videos to improve receptive skills.
    • 💡Use a mirror to check your signing accuracy.
    • 💡Practice signing in front of a mirror to check your handshapes and facial expressions. Examiners look for clarity and correct non-manual features.
    • 💡When receiving, focus on the signer's face, not their hands. This helps you catch non-manual cues and improves comprehension.
    • 💡Use real-life contexts to practise: sign your daily routine, describe pictures, or have simple conversations. This builds fluency and confidence for the assessment.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Using English word order instead of BSL grammar.
    • Neglecting facial expressions that convey meaning.
    • Signing too quickly or unclearly.
    • Misconception: BSL is just English on hands. Correction: BSL has its own grammar and syntax, different from English. For example, word order is often topic-comment, and facial expressions are grammatical.
    • Misconception: Fingerspelling is the main part of BSL. Correction: Fingerspelling is used only for proper nouns or when no sign exists. Most communication uses established signs.
    • Misconception: You don't need to use facial expressions. Correction: Non-manual features are essential for grammar (e.g., questions, negation) and emotion; without them, signs can be ambiguous.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •No formal prerequisites, but familiarity with the manual alphabet (fingerspelling) is helpful.
    • •Basic awareness of Deaf culture and communication etiquette (e.g., gaining attention, maintaining eye contact) is recommended.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Be able to form basic phrases in British Sign Language, Be able to recognise basic words / short phrases expressed in British Sign Language, Be able to take part in a simple interaction in British Sign Language

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