Module manager: Natalia Cybaniak
Email: N.Cybaniak@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is for people who have some basic knowledge of British Sign Language, either because you have taken the beginners module, or because you have prior knowledge equivalent to at least A1 of the CEFR. This module is also suitable for you if you have A2 of the CEFR and wish to maintain your current level. If you already have CEFR B1 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).
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module is approved as a skills discovery module
This module covers British Sign Language that you can use to communicate about yourself and things familiar to you. British Sign Language is used by 87,000 Deaf people in the UK. The module is at A2 level of the CEFR. If there is another A2 post-beginners module available, they can be taken in either order, one or two at a time. If this module runs in both semesters, you can take it in either semester 1 or semester 2 but not both. 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.
Through this module you will study the British Sign Language needed to communicate about yourself and things familiar to you such as your daily and weekly routine, your hobbies, your interests, your abilities, your personality, and describing a place, event or experience. You will learn relevant vocabulary, become more comfortable with the forms of the language, and gain a good basic knowledge of British Sign Language grammar in the present, past and future tenses.
You will have opportunities to observe and use British Sign Language as a practical 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.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Use British Sign Language to communicate about yourself and things familiar to you with sufficient clarity to be understood by a proficient British Sign Language user
2. Use frequently used British Sign Language expressions and simple descriptions in the present, past and future tenses
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
3. Identify and persevere with opportunities by adopting appropriate learning strategies
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 80 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Feedback in class on grammar, vocabulary and form. Feedback on a piece of work.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Choice of assessment | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Choice of assessment according to assessment brief but which may include video monologue, video conversation, vlog or video poem. 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: 12/05/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team