Jump to content

My reasons for learning BSL


Annieds
 Share

Recommended Posts

About 50 years ago, when we were very young and just took the world as it came, my siblings and I were taught finger spelling. None of us can remember why. One sister had very poor hearing, but became a fine musician, and I can't remember anyone saying that she was deaf. She died some years ago, so I can't ask. Anyhow, after a career in science I retrained as a science and maths teacher. I have worked alongside some very fine interpreters in mainstream college classes. For one term, I  had a maths student who was profoundly deaf but had no interpreter because, for a reason I never could fathom, one was not provided although he had requested one. He lip read very well but found it hard to make himself understood. I finger spelled and read very slowly. It was a tough term. I had a one-to-one with him before every lesson so that we could go through the work that was to be done and iron out problems, but it was unsatisfactory for us both. I am ashamed to say that it has taken a lockdown three years later for me to get off my lazy bottom and learn! I currently have a chemistry student with a wonderful interpreter. We 'meet' with the rest of the class on Zoom every Tuesday evening. Today I will be able to do more than smile!

Edited by Annieds
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

  • Latest Posts

    • Hi! I am learning BSL alongside a group of hearing friends and our deaf friend who will in some years will need BSL to communicate. But I am also a theatre maker and want to be able to collaborate with Deaf artists and audiences. I am also autistic and find verbal communication difficult sometimes so I'm hoping BSL can help me communicate.
    • New BSL Level 1 & 2 courses starting face-to-face (Central London) and online - https://www.teachmesign.co.uk/ All courses are taught by deaf native BSL signers. Teach Me Sign also have an online learning portal for students, which has lots of videos for self-study and homework between lessons. Please get in touch via the form on our website for more details.
    • Hi Jenny, that is something they have mentioned but to be honest I've not yet really had any information about them just had a bout of perichondritis it just seems to be one thing after another I have another ENT appointment 28th December I'll ask for some information, thankyou 😊 
    • I've decided to learn BSL because I've experienced sudden onset severe hearing loss in both ears. The ENT has told me there isn't anything they can do to help. I'm in the early stages of getting bone-anchored hearing aids; this process will take about a year. I want to have as many communication tools in my arsenal as possible, especially as my hearing is likely to continue to worsen.   Jenny
    • Hi Dawn, I also suffered from chronic infections with in-ear hearing aids. Have you and your GP/ENT/Audiologist ever discussed bone-anchored hearing aids?  I'm trialling them now and so far it's an absolute game-changer for me. They sit behind the ear and use bone conduction to stimulate the auditory nerve; nothing has to go inside your ear with those.   Jenny
    • So here's a quick introduction to myself. My name is Jenny. I'm a teacher and therapist for children with learning or emotional support needs. I'm learning BSL because I have just recently experienced sudden and severe mixed hearing loss in both ears.  I'm hoping I'll be approved for implantation of bone-anchored hearing aids soon, but that process will take at least a year so in the meantime... here I am!
    • For when you don't know the gender of who you're talking about and when talking to people who are non-binary (like myself).
    • Hello everyone I work in a prison and I’m very aware we have limited resources in terms of BSL. Trying to learn the basics to support anyone who may find themselves in custody 
  • Fingerspelling Scoreboard

    (top 10 - past 24hrs)

  • Fingerspelling Animation Maker

×
×
  • Create New...