English for deaf people: Getting started with vocabulary - part 1 (pre-entry - entry 1)

What is the course about?

This course is suitable if you have recently arrived in the UK from abroad and/or missed out on the education at school due to communication barriers. This course will help you to develop your basic communication skills in various social settings such as starting, maintaining and ending the conversations, confirming your understanding of the conversation flow and/or ask for clarification if/when necessary, asking and answering questions on various social topics etc. You will develop your basic vocabulary linked to everyday life, spelling and punctuation.You will also develop basic study skills to help you to complete simple tasks and do homework on your own. This course has no exam. To be able to participate in this course, you will need to have basic BSL skills.

What will we cover?

We will use different topics and strategies which will help you to develop your communication skills and build up relevant vocabulary of English words/signs to be able to participate, progress and express yourself in various social settings. We will explain how to study, complete simple tasks and do homework on your own.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- use and spell basic words linked to everyday life
- use simple punctuation such as capital letters, full stops, commas etc.
- demonstrate communication skills in various social settings e.g. starting, maintaining and ending the conversations, confirming your understanding of the conversation flow and/or ask for clarification if/when necessary, asking and answering questions on various social topics etc
- demonstrate basic study skills via completing simple tasks and homework on your own.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

To find out your level of skills, you will need to complete the initial assessment & the interview before enrolling. To book the assessment & the interview, please contact: e-mail: universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk; phone (SMS): (telephone temporarily unavailable); phone (voice): (telephone temporarily unavailable).

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will be taught in a deaf-only group with a tutor that is fluent in British Sign Language. Teaching will be in a supportive group setting, which involves pair and small group work. The interactive whiteboard and google classroom will also help your learning. Handouts and worksheets will allow you to build up a folder of work. You will be given homework on a regular basis and an opportunity for one to one tutorials with your tutor to discuss any individual learning needs that you have.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

It is recommended that you bring: appropriate stationary (e.g. pens, highlighter pens etc); a notebook; a file to keep your work;.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

In order to complete this course successfully, you will be asked to do different tasks and tests. Also, your attendance and punctuality is expected to be at 85% or above. At the end of this course, your course tutor will review your overall learning progress including your attendance/punctuality and will advise you on what courses you can do next.