Introduction to BSL
Written and celebrated in partnership with D/deaf friends and professionals.
Although hearing loss affects 1 in 3 adults, there is still a lack of deaf awareness and confidence in basic communication;
Source; RNID and Hearing Link
With this in mind; and the BSL Act being passed in 2022, Nancy set about trying to bridge the gap between the deaf and the hearing world.
Everything to do with the D/deaf world is naturally more authentic when delivered by a deaf person with lived experience. Nancy has teamed up with her deaf friends and professionals to capture their lived experiences. After careful consideration and consultation, together, they have written a deaf awareness and introduction to BSL course. D/deaf professionals, friends, retired and current BSL tutors have ensured the pitch and content are accurate for an introduction to their world.
This is a community focused initiative, started in the village of Milford on Sea with the aim of raising awareness. With a large number of vulnerable deaf adults in supported living on our doorstep in neighbouring Hordle and Everton; this course is aimed at making their community more deaf aware, accessible and interested to learn the basics to support and integrate them better.
A passionate ally of the deaf world, “I would love to help make the New Forest a safe space for D/deaf people to visit with many of us feeling encouraged to communicate more”.
There is no qualification or exam attached to these 10-week workshops. Learning is practised through group conversations, BSL bingo fun and time given up by deaf friends to show the delegates that they can indeed make better conversation with their deaf community. Many leave the 10 weeks so encouraged to take their learning further and are signposted to Signature for an accredited course.
Week 1 – Deaf Awareness and the BSL alphabet
Week 2 – Basic greeting signs
Week 3 – Numbers
Week 4 – Places and Weather
Week 5 – Food and Drink
Week 6 – Bingo Fun
Week 7 – Colours and Clothing
Week 8 – Conversation
Week 9 – Sport and Emotions
Week 10 – Social to celebrate success with D/deaf guests
This class is amazing with such a wonderful and supportive group of people. Thank you for setting it up. It’s so important to be able to understand and communicate effectively with people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
– Jean
Nancy is a fabulous, patient and brilliant communicator – the workshops are wonderful and have helped me with everyday life.
-Amanda.
Before the workshops I was frustrated with trying to communicate as a I have been lip reading for many years but quite often misread the first letter of a word and then start talking about something completely different. The biggest achievement was having my husband recognise how tiring it was to concentrate and now he always makes an effort to get my attention before starting to talk.
– Joan(Deaf)
Thank you so much! The last 10 weeks have been incredible, took me way out of my comfort zone but I’ve truly loved every second. I look forward to seeing everyone at deaf club. You are a massive inspiration…. Keep doing what you do, you are changing lives everyday.
– Jan
Nancy has introduced us all to BSL in a fun, informal way. As a deaf person we have used it to communicate when I’m not wearing my hearing aids – it has proved useful!
– Nicky(Deaf)
Thank you for a very interesting and enjoyable course. I have learned a lot and have a new appreciation of how hard life can be for the deaf and hard of hearing. You were also very good at calming the nerves of the more nervous delegates and fostering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.
– Marion
Absolutely lovely course and would thoroughly recommend for anyone wanting to learn the basics for BSL. I met so many lovely people, all with varying reasons for signing up. Being a tennis coach, having worked with players with a degree of deafness in the past was reason enough for me to want to become Deaf Aware. LTA are very active in opening up tennis for ALL, this course should now help me be more deaf aware and give anyone that is deaf the opportunity to work, learn, experience and enjoy the sport of tennis. Nancy was great, made us all so comfortable. Great fun.
– James
The class is amazing – such a wonderful and supportive bunch of people. This comes down to your teaching style.
– Jean
Thank you and for all you are doing for the community.
– Amanda
You will not believe the difference just week 1 made to our communication at home! After 3 weeks our communication is calmer, more patient and we have a better understanding of each other’s needs. THANK YOU!
-George and Joan (Deaf)
Well designed and presented content. Struggle to keep up with the pace in conversations but Nancy is clear and a great trainer. I hope the New Forest rollout is successful.
– Andy
Very enjoyable course. I rely on lipreading a lot so, as this is not a BSL course, maybe less signs and more lipreading.
Signposted to Lipreading classes run in the Village.
-David (deaf)
A friendly and relaxed environment with stress free learning. Nancy is fun, easy going and encouraging.
-Debra
The hand outs are helpful but perhaps would benefit from having hints/tips as to what the sign is.
Have since invested in Let’s Sign pocket dictionary’s for delegates.
-Andrew
Very professional presentation. Very understanding with beginners. Instructor good at putting the class at ease. The course has opened my understanding.
-George
I found the course very informative, everything was explained perfectly. I don’t think Nancy could have done any better. She is brilliant. The course has helped me at work and made me more confident with the deaf people we support. Thank you.
-Glenn
I would like to continue my learning but would also benefit from a regular meet up and practice so I don’t forget. Nancy – you are brilliant! The course was so well organised and your approach is so inclusive, you make everyone feel at ease. Also the delivery of your classes has made it so much fun.
Have since set up The New Forest social deaf club.
-Jean
Nancy is a wonderful teacher with great communication skills. The course is great fun and also a challenge. I have learned a lot and would like to learn more. Nancy, good luck with spreading the learning and understanding further.
-Julia
It was very enjoyable and I learned a lot. There was a lot of content and we went quite fast so some videos to support the weekly workshops would be good. It was good fun and I feel more confident to try and communicate with deaf people.
Have since recorded training video’s to support.
-Laraine
This truly was very very good. Not only good in content but the atmosphere created was very relaxed and friendly, largely due to Nancy’s personality. We have recommended this to friends.
-Linda.
I have really enjoyed learning the basics to BSL and would like to continue. Online content on your YouTube channel was very helpful. Nancy is a really great teacher, she brings a genuine joy and positivity to teaching.
-Neil.
Well worth attending this course before you really need it. Great fun too.
-Richard.
I so enjoyed the course – you are an amazing person who oozes love and compassion and you have a brill teaching manner. I would just like to reiterate my sincere thanks, the course was wonderful – thank you.
-Yvonne.
Looking back on YouTube was very helpful. Maybe in the future having the signs next to the words would be great. Thank you Nancy.
– Paula.
This has been a wonderful introduction to British Sign Language. We have all learnt a huge amount in a relaxed atmosphere. Nancy has been a wonderful tutor.
-Tricia.
The video’s were very helpful. Wonderful experience – lovely group and a very skilful teacher!
-Peter.
Nancy is an excellent teacher. Very clear, very patient and very encouraging. She has made learning BSL fun and interesting. She is doing a great job at promoting BSL.
-Stephanie.
It was really insightful to understand what some of the obstacles deaf people face, although I’m hard of hearing, I have always got by. However, as a business owner I never gave the Loop system a thought within my business which will now change.
-Tracey.
Compliments to you – you’ve got the class inspired
-Terry
Great class, Great fun, Great teacher; You are an inspiration and it’s been fun Thank you.
-Sue M.
I have so enjoyed the weeks, Nancy has been amazing and I would like to take BSL further and learn more. Thank you,
– Sarah (Gold).
I have enjoyed every minute – each hour has flown by and we have learned so much. Would highly recommend this as an introduction to anyone interested in BSL. Thank you so much,
-Fran.
Nancy is such an excellent, patient, encouraging, confidence building teacher. We have fun and learn so much. The time goes by very quickly. I have enjoyed the course immensely; I didn’t think I would! Amazing teacher!!
I can’t think of any improvements, this course has been so much better than I thought it would be. Nancy you’re fabulous with everyone! Thank you, x
Shame it has to come to an end but shall hopefully attend deaf club regularly. Fab teacher, the best & Tracey too.
-Caroline.
Nancy is a very expressive, inclusive teacher. The classes were fun and informative. Will definitely keep practising, visit Achieve Together in Hordle and join the monthly deaf club in The Cave. Cannot express enough what a great teacher and brilliant course Nancy has put together.
-Sue.
I have really enjoyed watching the class go from not knowing anything to holding basic conversations and understanding what Nancy was signing. The laughter is such an important part of the way Nancy constructs this course as each week you can see students relax more into it. By week 9 the excitement on the students’ faces was brilliant as they felt happy with what they had achieved. This is such a vital part for the community to be involved in. Long may it continue and grow.
-Tracey.
It was amazing and Nancy is delightful. I do intend to make use of everything learned and continue to learn. Thank you.
-Elisabeth.
I was nervous at first but after the first 15 mins I was relaxed. It was great fun and I will recommend this course to anyone who is interested. I’d like to say a big thankyou to Nancy for opening my eyes and of course hands! I wouldn’t change a thing!
I have enjoyed the course – so much – lovely to meet folks who feel the same as me. The course is pitched just right – great fun – learning in a safe, encouraging environment. The lesson always zoomed by. Thank you so much Nancy – I will go to deaf club.
I was so nervous but instantly felt comfortable after week one. I’ve loved the course and have spread the word. The YouTube videos are fabulous. I love the songs. The course has also helped me learn more about myself and I have met some lovely local people.
-Jan.
Highly enjoyable, fascinating. However unable to put enough time in the week to practice ½ hour per day. Still definitely worth doing and expanding knowledge but my knowledge retention is very poor. Age related perhaps with learning something so very new. May well repeat the same introduction in the future before progressing to Level 1. Video’s of lessons for practice are excellent.
A great intro to BSL for the layperson.
– Diane.