Like anyone learning a new language students of British Sign Language need lots of opportunities to practise. There are a lot more resources available than there ever used to be although of course the best way to practice is to meet and mix with deaf sign language users.
There are many different ways you can practise your signing, here are some suggestions:
Volunteering
Deaf Direct has a volunteer service which offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities. These include befriending for deaf adults, supporting youth and children’s activities, working at one of our offices, fund-raising or supporting Deaf Direct public events. All volunteers undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check. If you are interested in getting involved please contact us.
Private Tuition
Deaf Direct offers private tuition for one to one sessions and small groups. This is available for BSL Levels 1, 2 and 3 as well as for more advanced levels. Sessions can be offered in person or via webcam - please see our course enrolment page for more details.
Hereford Sign Social
This is run by a Deaf Direct volunteer and is the perfect place to meet and practise your signing. Everyone is very friendly and the volunteer is there to welcome you and make sure that no one feels left out. Students from all levels are welcome to attend and practice their signing in an informal atmosphere. This takes place on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 7pm at The Welsh Club, Belmont Road, Hereford. For a map and directions please see our Hereford Sign Social page.
Events
Keep an eye on Deaf Direct’s upcoming events where you will have the chance to see sign language being used in real settings. Deaf Direct is involved with public events, signed theatre performances, open days, sports events and much more. Events and latest news are accessed via the home page and the calendar.
Deaf Church
Many areas offer regular church services which are presented in sign language. This offers a chance to extend your vocabulary by learning some religious signs but also the chance to mingle and chat / sign with deaf people and other signers after the service.
Student Home Study Groups
Some students like to arrange to meet up between classes to practise their signing and go over what has been learnt in class, particularly when the assessments are looming. The group can decide how they want to organise themselves, it could be weekly, fortnightly or monthly meetings perhaps taking it in turn to meet at each others' houses or agreeing a quiet coffee shop or pub where they can sit and sign. The key to this is remembering to practise your signing and not ending up sitting and chatting instead of signing!
Through the Internet
Your Deaf Direct course tutor will provide a list of suitable websites during your course. Alternatively you can type British Sign Language into a search engine and you will see that there are many websites that contain BSL vocabulary, fingerspelling and other resources that will support your learning. Remember though that all these resources will be 2D and nothing beats getting out there and using your skills in the real world.
On TV
Several channels broadcast programmes with signing, including BBC1 and Channel 4. Your tutor will be able to advise the best programmes but you can also check your TV guide to see which programmes have signed presentations. There are also specific deaf programmes like See Hear and The Hub which are presented by deaf people in sign language.
Meeting deaf people
Deaf people have always gathered together to socialise as it enables them to relax and chat in their first language, BSL. Many deaf clubs welcome students learning sign language but it is important to bear in mind that this is social time for deaf people to get together, so please respect this. It can be quite daunting attending a deaf event for the first time so it can be a good idea to go with other people from your course. Information about local deaf clubs can be found under the Our Communities section of the website.
To enrol on a course, or book private tuition, see our enrolment page.
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