Sign Language Lessons to communicate with deaf people

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

I have 2 deaf cricketers in my team. Communicating with them is rather difficult but they are very patient with me. They are a great asset to the team and we all actually enjoy their company despite the difficulties of communicating with them. They have been in my team full time this season and show immense dedication for the team, so being the team manager, I feel I owe it to them to learn sign language. It would also be a great thing to learn generally anyway.

Do anyone here know where is the best place I can learn? Perhaps an online course? If not I'll just look up the hotcourses directory but thought I might get some recommendations from you guys before I do :)

[McG]

I sometimes think we should offer BSL as a language option in schools. It may be of more use to some people than learning French or German. It may also be more interesting!

[Beate]

http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/Deaf_e ... _BSL/QB103

http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/Deaf_e ... el_1/QB214

City Lit started enrolling for the September term about a week ago so you are still in time.

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

I sometimes think we should offer BSL as a language option in schools. It may be of more use to some people than learning French or German. It may also be more interesting!

Well imho, I think learning French or German is essential to learn in schools as these are 2 countries that we do tend to work with prominently and can give many a great edge in employment. Sign language is certainly great to learn but only as a specialist option such as extended classes after school etc.

[mattymc13]

I have 2 deaf cricketers in my team. Communicating with them is rather difficult but they are very patient with me. They are a great asset to the team and we all actually enjoy their company despite the difficulties of communicating with them. They have been in my team full time this season and show immense dedication for the team, so being the team manager, I feel I owe it to them to learn sign language. It would also be a great thing to learn generally anyway.

Do anyone here know where is the best place I can learn? Perhaps an online course? If not I'll just look up the hotcourses directory but thought I might get some recommendations from you guys before I do :)

It isn't beyond the realms of possibility to teach yourself. I work with somebody who did just that. How would the deaf guys feel about teaching you the basics themselves? If they can communicate through writing, that would most certainly work. I know it's uncomfortable to ask them to do so, but it's surely worth a try. I could teach you Makaton, but that's quite far removed from BSL.

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

I have 2 deaf cricketers in my team. Communicating with them is rather difficult but they are very patient with me. They are a great asset to the team and we all actually enjoy their company despite the difficulties of communicating with them. They have been in my team full time this season and show immense dedication for the team, so being the team manager, I feel I owe it to them to learn sign language. It would also be a great thing to learn generally anyway.

Do anyone here know where is the best place I can learn? Perhaps an online course? If not I'll just look up the hotcourses directory but thought I might get some recommendations from you guys before I do :)

It isn't beyond the realms of possibility to teach yourself. I work with somebody who did just that. How would the deaf guys feel about teaching you the basics themselves? If they can communicate through writing, that would most certainly work. I know it's uncomfortable to ask them to do so, but it's surely worth a try. I could teach you Makaton, but that's quite far removed from BSL.

I have actually taught myself many things through books and online tutorials and would consider that option but something like this might need people interaction, I feel. It would be too difficult to learn directly from the 2 guys I think, and might be a bit too frustrating! I would rather learn something like this from a non deaf teacher.

http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/Deaf_e ... _BSL/QB103

http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/Deaf_e ... el_1/QB214

City Lit started enrolling for the September term about a week ago so you are still in time.

Hey that's looks like a great option! The college itself seem to be a pleasant one, gets good reviews on qype. Will defintiely inquire on places here and neatly starts after my summer evneing job. Have you been to this college yourself?

[Beate]

No but I have a colleague who takes City Lit courses all the time.

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

Thank you Beate :) Will consider booking this. As the course starts after my cricket season ends, I think in the mean time, I'll do this online tutorial course I found. Costs just £15, which I can get started with straightaway so I can practice what I learn with my 2 deaf colleagues when I meet them on Sundays.

http://www.british-sign.co.uk/product_i ... ine-course

Thanks for all your replies everyone! Much appreciated.

No but I have a colleague who takes City Lit courses all the time.

That college seems like a very nice college to learn all sorts of new skills, reading a lot of good reviews for it, lively location too.

[Celini]

MrG, I think it's a great idea!

[buffybot]

I attended a BSL course for free at my local college. Perhaps you could try there. I found it hard to learn BSL from books, and although it's great to do an online course, signs vary between regions so some signs might not make sense where you are living.