Learning British Sign Language with Castle Bromwich u3a

Katrina and Frank from Castle Bromwich u3a share how the British Sign Language Group helps members to learn new ways of communicating with others. 

In 2022, Castle Bromwich u3a ran ‘An Introduction to British Sign Language’, a series of workshops held over six weeks. These workshops proved to be very successful in introducing members to different ways of communicating and giving an insight into the problems hearing loss can cause.

At the ends of the six weeks, my daughter Katrina (a deaf u3a member) and my son Andrew (also a member at the time) facilitated an assessment. Members were awarded certificates for being able to work through an exercise in BSL and for showing their ability to communicate by sign and body language.

While that all sounds very formal, the group had great fun and even invented some new signs of their own!

After the workshops, the group wanted to continue and suggested forming an interest group to build on their learning from those six weeks. The proposal was put forward to the Group Coordinator Elaine and introduced to the Castle Bromwich u3a membership. The rest, as they say, is history.

The format of the group has remained reasonably the same as the workshops, with videos demonstrating BSL signs which the group then practice, following up with techniques and exercise scenarios for the group. Homework was also introduced, where a subject matter was proposed and presentations given at the next meeting. The subjects included ‘Introduce yourself and describe your day’, ‘Describe making a cake’, all in sign and with body language of course.

Learning sign language breaks down personal barriers. You use all of yourself to get a message or subject across to others who can’t hear you. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know a particular sign, providing you are able to visually describe what you need to get across. But a great thing of course is that we have a laugh.

With the exception of Co-Facilitator Katrina, all of the group are able to hear. Deafness can mean isolation; isolation can lead to withdrawal. By learning a few basic signs, we may just be able to make a difference.

Sign language is also a useful tool to help talk over a distance; a crowded shop or in a meeting for instance!

We do not run examinations in BSL or Signed Supported English (SSE), although we do from time to time frighten the group with an ‘assessment’. We do offer members an ‘Introduction into BSL’. Members can then if they wish, join formal courses to gain qualifications.

The group has evolved over time with members and times changing, but one thing that has endured is gaining a useful skill that can make a difference in communicating with others.