This class is an ideal introduction to sign language. Deaf people in the UK use various methods of communication but BSL is the most widely used method of signed communication. Your degree of deafness does not, in itself, determine whether or not you are a member of the deaf community. Someone who has become profoundly deaf in adulthood may still identify with the hearing world and rely on lip reading, speech and hearing aids to listen and sound. Someone born with a less profound hearing loss into a deaf family may identify with the deaf community and use BSL. BSL evolved naturally as languages do and this class will introduce you to both manual and non-manual components, hand-shapes and movements, facial expression and shoulder movement. People who use BSL also use finger-spelling. Certain words – usually names of people and places – are spelled out on fingers and you will be introduced to this.
No classes on 12, 19, 26 December 2018 and 02, 09 January 2019