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

    This unit provides the foundational skills for signing in British Sign Language (BSL) at Level 2. Learners develop the ability to express routine informati

    Topic Synopsis

    This unit provides the foundational skills for signing in British Sign Language (BSL) at Level 2. Learners develop the ability to express routine information about everyday events, using correct BSL grammar, vocabulary, and non-manual features to communicate clearly in social and practical contexts.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Signing in British Sign Language

    SEG AWARDS
    vocational

    This unit provides the foundational skills for signing in British Sign Language (BSL) at Level 2. Learners develop the ability to express routine information about everyday events, using correct BSL grammar, vocabulary, and non-manual features to communicate clearly in social and practical contexts.

    4
    Learning Outcomes
    3
    Assessment Guidance
    3
    Key Skills
    5
    Key Terms
    4
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    SEG Awards Level 2 Award In Signing and Receiving Skills in British Sign Language

    Topic Overview

    The SEG Awards Level 2 Award in Signing and Receiving Skills in British Sign Language (BSL) is a foundational qualification designed to develop your ability to communicate effectively with Deaf people using BSL. This course covers essential vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills, enabling you to engage in simple, everyday interactions. You will learn to sign about topics such as personal information, family, work, and daily routines, while also developing your receptive skills to understand signed messages. Achieving this award demonstrates a practical competence in BSL at a level that allows you to participate in basic conversations and shows your commitment to inclusive communication.

    This qualification is part of the wider ESOL & Literacy framework under SEG Awards, but it specifically focuses on visual-gestural language rather than spoken English. It is ideal for those who work with or interact with Deaf individuals, such as in customer service, education, healthcare, or community settings. By studying BSL, you not only gain a valuable skill but also contribute to breaking down communication barriers and promoting accessibility. The Level 2 Award builds on introductory knowledge and prepares you for further study at Level 3, where more complex grammar and vocabulary are introduced.

    Throughout the course, you will be assessed on both your productive (signing) and receptive (understanding) skills. You will learn the importance of facial expressions, body language, and non-manual features, which are integral to BSL grammar. The curriculum is structured around real-life scenarios, ensuring that the skills you develop are practical and immediately applicable. By the end of the award, you should be able to hold a short conversation, ask and answer questions, and follow simple signed narratives.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →BSL Grammar: Unlike English, BSL uses a topic-comment structure and relies heavily on non-manual features (facial expressions, head movements) to convey meaning. Word order is often different, e.g., 'I go store' instead of 'I am going to the store'.
    • →Handshapes and Placement: BSL uses a limited set of handshapes, each with specific meanings. Placement in space is crucial for indicating people, objects, and locations. For example, pointing to a specific spot can refer to a person or place.
    • →Non-Manual Features (NMFs): These include eyebrow movements, mouth patterns, and head tilts that modify the meaning of signs. For instance, raising eyebrows can turn a statement into a question, while shaking the head can negate a sign.
    • →Fingerspelling: The manual alphabet is used for spelling out names, places, or words without a specific sign. You must learn to fingerspell clearly and at a reasonable speed, and also to read fingerspelling from others.
    • →Receptive Skills: Understanding signed language is as important as producing it. You need to practice watching signs, interpreting NMFs, and following the flow of conversation, often without voice support.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Demonstrate accurate production of BSL signs for common everyday topics, including personal information, weather, and daily activities.
    • Construct grammatically correct BSL sentences, employing topic-comment order and appropriate non-manual features.
    • Engage in a simple signed conversation, asking and answering questions about routine events with clarity.
    • Apply fingerspelling techniques to spell names and unfamiliar words accurately when necessary.

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for accurate articulation of signs: correct handshape, location, movement, and palm orientation.
    • Assess the use of facial expression and head movement to indicate question types (e.g., yes/no, wh-questions).
    • Look for appropriate use of signing space and indexing for referents.
    • Credit effective use of turn-taking signals and appropriate eye gaze during conversation.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Practice signing in front of a mirror to monitor your facial expressions and clarity of signs.
    • 💡Before the assessment, rehearse common topics and sentence patterns to build fluency.
    • 💡If you make a mistake, correct it calmly or rephrase; assessors value effective communication over perfection.
    • 💡Use clear, deliberate movements: Examiners look for precision in handshapes and placement. Avoid rushing; take your time to form signs correctly. Practise in front of a mirror to check your form.
    • 💡Incorporate non-manual features: Many students forget to use facial expressions. Remember that in BSL, your face is part of the grammar. For questions, raise your eyebrows; for negatives, shake your head. This shows you understand the language's structure.
    • 💡Practise receptive skills actively: When watching signed videos, try to summarise what you understood without relying on subtitles. Focus on the signer's face and body, not just their hands. This will improve your ability to follow conversations in assessments.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Omitting or misusing non-manual features, leading to grammatical errors or unintended meaning.
    • Using English word order instead of BSL's visual-spatial grammar.
    • Confusing similar signs due to minimal pair differences in handshape or movement.
    • Misconception: BSL is just English on the hands. Correction: BSL is a complete language with its own grammar and syntax, distinct from English. For example, 'I am happy' in English might be signed as 'HAPPY ME' with a facial expression showing happiness.
    • Misconception: You only need to learn signs, not grammar. Correction: Without correct grammar (e.g., using NMFs, correct word order), your signing may be confusing or unintelligible to native BSL users. Grammar is essential for clear communication.
    • Misconception: Fingerspelling is the most important part of BSL. Correction: While fingerspelling is useful, it is used sparingly. Over-reliance on fingerspelling can slow down conversation and indicate a lack of vocabulary. Focus on learning signs for common words.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic awareness of Deaf culture and communication needs: Understanding that BSL is a visual language and that Deaf people may prefer sign over spoken English helps set the right mindset.
    • •Completion of a Level 1 BSL qualification or equivalent introductory knowledge: The Level 2 Award assumes you already know basic signs and can fingerspell. If you are new to BSL, start with a Level 1 course first.
    • •Good visual memory and attention to detail: BSL relies on remembering signs and noticing subtle differences in handshape or movement. Practising observation skills can help.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • BSL grammar and structure
    • Everyday vocabulary
    • Non-manual features
    • Question forms and responses
    • Fingerspelling and numbers

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