Jump to content

  • BSL Forum
    Video Chat
    Fingerspelling
    Game
    Create an
    Animation
    Print a
    Word
    Make a
    Word Search
    Fingerspelling
    Alphabet
    Online BSL
    Course

Hi from Julia in Bedfordshire

Julia French

By Julia French
in Introduce Yourself

 Share

Recommended Posts

Julia French Newbie

Julia French

Posted
Posted

Hi,

I’m Julia and I live just on the outskirts of N. Bedfordshire.<br /><br />I’m a volunteer trainer for St. John Ambulance and I help to run a Cadet group (aged between 10-17), and we do all sorts of activities etc., not only First Aid. Currently we are doing a “Communication with the Deaf and/or Blind” course with them, and we had someone who was profoundly deaf come in, with an interpreter, and taught us a little bit about BSL, and it has re-sparked my interest in learning it again.<br /><br />I learnt a little about BSL when I was a Cadet myself about the age of 12 (hitting my 30’s this year…eek!), and also learnt some Makaton (although I know that it’s not used as much as BSL now), but watching the person who came in, really has made my interest in learning BSL come right back up again, and not only to be able to use it within my St. John Ambulance role, but also in my everyday work role as well.

For my everyday paid role, I am a Passenger Assistant and help take children and adults with special needs to and from school, home, day centres etc. in a car. Most of the clients I deal with have special needs and I have come across a couple of them who use BSL as a normal everyday thing…which when you don’t know much about it, can make the journey a little awkward. So learning BSL is definitely going to help my own communication skills as well.

I already know the BSL alphabet, and I am getting the hang of fingerspelling quickly, so that is definitely a help. But I am also interested in learning about signing normally as well. I am hoping to be able to start the online course (via here) hopefully this week, but I thought it would be a good start for me to sign up to the forum as well, so I can pick up other tips etc.<br /><br />Thank you for reading about me<br /><br />Julia x

  • Like 1
Bec Meachin Newbie

Bec Meachin

Posted
Posted

HI Julia, Welcome! It sounds like you have done some interesting stuff so far with signing. I think that no matter what job you do learning BSL would be helpful, even if it was just helping one person.

I’ve just started level 2. Quite a jump from level 1 but enjoying it. I have to describe people and faces etc. it is quite hard to do!

Enjoy learning! ? Bec x

  • 9 months later...
Pam Newbie

Pam

Posted
Posted

Hi Julia 

l live in Bedfordshire too, Houghton Regis, where are you? I am just coming to the end of level 2 and planning to complete level 3 by Easter. 

Pam

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Posts

    • River
      why am I learning BSL?

      By River · Posted

      No one in my personal life uses BSL at this stage, so there isn't really a personal reason I would need to learn the language. However, as a physically disabled person in my 20s, I've become aware of how many accessibility flaws there are in modern society and I generally do what I can to keep myself educated on things like this whether it is applicable to me or not. One example of how I can do this is to be the one person in the room who is able to communicate with a Deaf person without needing to break out the pens and paper or notes app on a phone, and instead be able to speak in their primary language. I am of the opinion that BSL should be taught in all British schools, but until that time, I will do what I can now to be the difference I and so many others wish to see.
    • River
      Introducing myself

      By River · Posted

      Hi! My name is River and I have recently started learning BSL. I found this forum via the BSL learning website I've been using and wanted to introduce myself. I find I retain the signs I learn best when I'm actually able to talk to someone in BSL but don't know anyone in my personal life who actually uses the language. I'm hoping by being on this forum I'll be able to learn more about the Deaf community and might even be able to have conversations with people via video once I'm at a stage where I have any chance of understanding what's being said (I'm a complete beginner right now and would basically be guessing with context clues). Thanks for reading! I hope to be active on here again soon!
    • RTay1
      BSL sign for Witney

      By RTay1 · Posted

      Hello,  Does anyone know the sign for Witney (town in Oxfordshire). 
    • AlexG
      Hiya!

      By AlexG · Posted

      Hiya guys! My name is Alex and I’m 22 years old. I am not part of the Deaf community, however I work in a charity shop where we sometimes get customers who use sign to communicate. I love having a chat with everyone who comes through the door, and I don’t want anybody to feel left out of that, so I’ve just started an online BSL course so I can connect with my community more. I’m super excited to learn more!
    • Shelly
      Introducing myself

      By Shelly · Posted

      Hi I’m Shelly.i have always been fascinated by BSL and always wanted to learn. I am frontline with the ambulance service and having come across people iof the Deaf community I have now vowed to learn it. 
    • Amelia__
      Hello!

      By Amelia__ · Posted

      I'm learning sign language!!!
    • Mariella Omandam
      Hi I 'm Martin

      By Mariella Omandam · Posted

      Hello, Martin! I am currently taking up a course which I paid for 3£, it's in british-sign co uk. It's a nice course. It is great for goal-oriented type of learners. You get 2 years of access and a certificate. You can do assessments there. Goodluck on your journey! And it's nice to know that stories like this exist, makes me wanna tear up. 😁
    • Maria Jose
      Hi I 'm Martin

      By Maria Jose · Posted

      Hi Martin! I think learning new things is very important and how very thoughtful of you to think about BSL, there is an online course, if you click "BSL online course" at the top of the page it takes you straight to it, you don't have to make a monthly donation just a one time donation of however much you can afford minimum 3EUR.  I hope you continue this journey

  • Fingerspelling Scoreboard

    (top 10 - past 24hrs)

  • Fingerspelling Animation Maker

×
×
  • Create New...