Module manager: Callum Walker
Email: C.M.Walker@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is for people who have no previous knowledge of British Sign Language. If you already have CEFR A1 or above then this module is not for you. For information about the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) see https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale).
| LANG5050M | Czech and Intercultural Studies |
| LANG5070M | Egyptian Arabic and Intercultural Studies |
| LANG5080M | Modern Standard Arabic and Intercultural Studies |
| LANG5090M | French and Intercultural Studies |
| LANG5100M | German and Intercultural Studies |
| LANG5110M | Italian and Intercultural Studies |
| LANG5120M | Japanese and Intercultural Studies |
| LANG5130M | Korean and Intercultural Studies |
| LANG5140M | Mandarin and Intercultural Studies |
| LANG5150M | Portuguese and Intercultural Studies |
| LANG5160M | Spanish and Intercultural Studies |
| LANG5190M | Persian and Intercultural Studies |
| LANG5220M | Urdu and Intercultural Studies |
This module is not approved as an Elective
In this module you will study both beginners British Sign Language and Intercultural Studies in order to explore how learning an unfamiliar language changes your perspective on language and identity. British Sign Language is used by 87,000 Deaf people in the UK. The module covers basic British Sign Language that you can use to communicate about yourself. It is at A1 level of the CEFR. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
You will study the basic British Sign Language needed to communicate about yourself such as personal details, your home, people important to you, your daily routine, your likes and dislikes, your interests, and your studies. You will learn relevant vocabulary, start to become familiar with the sounds of the language, and gain basic knowledge of British Sign Language grammar in the present and future tenses. Through the British Sign Language you hear in class you will become familiar with classroom language. Class activities are communicative/task-based and involve working in pairs or groups. You are expected to self-study between classes as well as preparing for the assessment. You are encouraged to make use of the resources in the Language Zone (https://students.leeds.ac.uk/languagezone), use digital resources, and engage in other opportunities to put language skills into practice outside the taught sessions. You will also be introduced to theory on language and identity. You will work autonomously to reflect on how studying an unfamiliar language changes your perspective on language and identity, and how this changed perspective can inform your programme of study and your future career.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
Subject specific learning outcomes:
1. Communicate about themselves in British Sign Language with sufficient clarity to be understood by a proficient British Sign Language user
2. Use familiar everyday British Sign Language expressions and very basic phrases in the present and future tenses
3. Identify and appraise appropriate sources to make research-informed conclusions about the connections between beginners language learning, theories of language and identity, and the wider programme of study
Skills learning outcomes:
4. Identify and persevere with opportunities by adopting appropriate learning strategies
5. Act independently in identifying and communicating connections between beginners language learning and future careers
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Class | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Lecture | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Private study hours | 127 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 23 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
You will have two opportunities to submit work for formative feedback: one on a draft video and one on a draft reflection. In addition, you will get feedback in the language class on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Video | 50 |
| Coursework | Reflection | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The assessment is marked on a pass-fail basis (see https://students.leeds.ac.uk/results/doc/explanation-marks).
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team