Jump to content

Why I am learning BSL


Recommended Posts

Hello everyone, this is my first post on the forum and thought I'd share my own reasoning for beginning to learn BSL. My interest in learning sign language was initially peaked by seeing others using it as a form of communication whilst out in public, and figuring that although I do not have any friends or family who are hard of hearing or deaf, it would be a valuable life skill to acquire. I first picked up BSL last summer but didn't persist with it for long and have only recently recommitted to learning BSL within the last few days. 

I am a 20 year old student and recently started working at a Starbucks in the same city that I attend university. Yesterday was the first time I encountered a deaf customer whilst working. I was not the staff member who served her, however when I handed her her drink she tried to communicate to me that she wanted sugar for it (purely non-verbal, motioning as though tipping sugar into the mug). I was initially caught off-guard as my current knowledge of BSL is extremely basic to the point where I would not be confident to hold a conversation, and I (stupidly) replied to her verbally before realising that we were both wearing masks so she had no hope of lip reading my attempt of asking if she wanted brown or white sugar. Realising this, I instead just asked her how many she wanted by holding up fingers sequentially, then grabbed the one sugar she wanted, handed it to her, and nervously contemplated signing "thank you" (one of the few signs I do have down to memory), though by the time I had even thought about it she had taken her drink and walked away. The entire situation has breathed into me a new sense of enthusiasm for learning BSL, knowing that with my new job there may be opportunities to apply my learning in a practical setting, as well as potentially make new friends and having a valuable pastime to commit myself to. 

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this and feel free to leave general advice in regards to learning, I am currently following the British-Sign BSL course. 

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
  • Latest Posts

    • This game has really impressed me. The variety of features and the potential for big wins kept me playing for hours. I’m constantly coming back to try and hit that jackpot! If you enjoy exciting casino games, take a look at it here: https://casino.ua/casino/show-game/amusnet-interactive/supreme-hot/ . It’s a great choice for those who enjoy both the thrill of the game and the chance to win.
    • Normally I would just fingerspell BRB but maybe that's just pragmatic. Hope I could help tho!
    • Yo my name is James to but I use Jimmy and Javier as nicknames! crazy stuff  
    • Hi all, My name is James and I have started my BSL learning journey which I am really enjoying! I hope that I am able to help by learning BSL! James  
    • hi Kate,  I'm Amy, I am also learning BSL and would like to practice, I am extremely new
    • I looked up the figures at this website for the estimated number of people with hearing loss in Ealing and Hounslow: Ealing: 48,500, Hounslow: 36,500 So I can see why volunteer Befrienders with BSL proficiency are so needed, Vince.
    • I am not sure if I am using the form the right way, do you have to create a new topic just to post? I am new here, hearing impaired since birth, on and off with hearing aids throughout life. Looking into new aids, and also learning BSL. I learned some ASL as a child and discovering BSL is totally different. Interesting to stretch my brain to use both hands and understand the logic behind the signs. I'm using the UK website to learn basic BSL to start, and keeping up on lessons and tests the
    • My name is Kate & Iv'e joined you as I'm learning BSL & loving it. Would love to join up wiv a friend to practise with. xxxxxxx
  • Fingerspelling Scoreboard

    (top 10 - past 24hrs)

  • Fingerspelling Animation Maker

×
×
  • Create New...