Learning Sign Language

[TheMuffinMan]

I volunteer with the RDA once a week and so I often work with people who can only really communicate by sign language. I am on a gap year on the moment and I thought it might be good to do something constructive, so I thought I could attempt to learn sign language at a quite basic level. I have seen some internet based learning courses, but I am slightly wary of them. Has anyone here tried to learn it via a course or something or have any advise of how to best go about learning it? I know how to do some of the alphabet and how to say 'good morning' but that is about it.
Thanks in advance

[Munter]

Dumb question. But once a week you meet people who know sign language. Could they not teach you?

[TheMuffinMan]

Its not really practical, since most of the people also have severe learning difficulties or autism and would not really be capable of teaching me. I manage to pick some up, but not really learn it as such.

[Planet Claire]

Have a look at your local adult education centre for classes as they usually run them. Go online or pop into your local library as they usually have prospectus of colleges etc who run courses. If you want to gain a qualification at the end of it look for a Stage/Level 1 course.

[BlackVanDyke]

Most local adult learning centres etc. do BSL Level 1 courses, although if you work with people who also have intellectual impairments then check whether it would be more useful for you to learn Makaton or SSE.

These guys are probably your best bet for locating an appropriate course. http://www.signature.org.uk/

You'll need to attend proper classes, learning online etc. really wouldn't work. I took Level 1 BSL (roughly equivalent to GCSE) a few years back and regularly use sign language to communicate, have a Deaf friend and a group of us who are learning BSL get together to practice now and then - I think the main thing is just to use it as you learn, as much and as often as you can. Get someone to teach you to sign "sorry, I'm just learning" as a prelude to signing with first-language signers.

If you work with people with multiple impairments then Deaf and Deafblind awareness/basic communication skills might be very useful, at the very least learn the deafblind manual alphabet.

Good luck!

[Bill]

^^^ This. The NDA may well organise something for family/carers, or depending on the ages of the people you help the NDCS. Otherwise local colleges will likely have evening classes.

If you're in/near Bristol I can give you some pointers.

[TheMuffinMan]

Thanks for the replies, I think our local college runs a sign language course so I'll check with them.