Information For Young People Summer Course - Introduction to British Sign Language (BSL) for Teenagers JLGB Hand-in-Hand run this course for one week during the summer holidays. It is held in the JDA premises, as a short basic sign language class to enable young students to get an introduction to British Sign Language and learn about the lives of Deaf people. It's an opportunity to gain an invaluable insight, improve communication skills … and laugh a lot! Due to the success of last years summer's course we have good news! we are running this course again this year in 2006. If you want to know any information about this please contact Jacqui Press. Click on the links below to read more about our past courses: Summer of 2005 Summer of 2003 Summer of 2002 Jacqui Press: Email: jacqui@jda.dircon.co.uk Telephone: 020 8369 5329 Textphone: As Above Fax: 020 8445 7451

Have you Heard?

Basic BSL Course 2005
for Teenagers age 14 - 18yrs old

Our popular Hand-in-Hand summer Basic British Sign Language course for teenagers took place once again at the JDA centre from 25th - 29th July 2005, apart from Wednesday (to make way for the Day Centre).

The course was run by popular BSL Level 2 course tutor, Barbara Flintham, who has been running the BSL Level 2 course at the JDA for the past four years.

The course was attended by thirteen teenagers who came for 4 days to learn basic British Sign Language. They also had the opportunity to view the JDA Resource and Technology Room, to learn about the specialised equipment used by people with a hearing loss.

The JDA organises this course every summer. This is a perfect way for young hearing people to learn how to communicate with Deaf people, learn about their lives and develop a new basic skill in signing.

We are pleased to say that it is still as popular and successful as ever and, with BSL being recognised, hopefully more young teenagers will start to embrace BSL and become more deaf aware.

Here are some personal accounts from some of the teenagers who attended:

'I can't believe how much I have achieved this week. After attending this short course, I have now decided that I would like to try to become fluent in sign language in future'.

Emily Kay

'All the sessions were interesting, fun and interactive and we covered a lot of material to enable us to be able to have a basic conversation with a Deaf person. I also learnt how to attract the attention of a deaf person and the different ways that deaf people are alerted to telephone rings and doorbells and smoke alarms.

I'm really glad I participated in the course. I may use these new skills to do some volunteer work among deaf and hard of hearing people. I would love to get involved in any other JDA activities!'

Deborah Fisher

'The course taught me a new way of communicating and was an experience that I would recommend to others. I hope to enrol in the one year BSL Level 1 course in September.'

Rachelle Goldwyn

My friend first told me about the Jewish Deaf Association's four-day British Sign Language course. So we decided to go together and I'm really glad I did because it was very useful and interesting to learn.

Barbara, our teacher, was great and I basically understood everything that she taught us and I'm amazed, after just four days, I'm able to have a basic conversation in sign language!

Tania Newman

'I was apprehensive about how much sign language we would be taught and I was worried that there would be a load of worksheets and not much signing at all. But this theory was extinguished immediately as within the first hour I was able to fingerspell my name, and others' names, and we could introduce ourselves!

I was amazed at the atmosphere in the room as all hearing students sat in silence as we watched and learnt signing from our teacher. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and would like to further my knowledge of not only sign language but how deaf people carry out tasks, which I have always taken for granted.'

Francesca Kletz

'It was at times challenging as no speaking was permitted, but very enjoyable and immensely worthwhile. I am looking forward to taking a BSL Level 1 course.'

Jonathan Graham

'I have learnt a lot and gained lots of experience on this course. It will gradually help me to communicate better with Deaf people. I will probably use sign language in future when I train to be a dance teacher.'

Emma Levene

'When I told my friends that my teacher on this course was Deaf, they were confused and didn't understand how it could work. At first neither did I but, a few minutes into the first lesson, I was shown that communicating with Barbara was easy.

I have learnt a lot about the Deaf way of life, including how the telephone and doorbell rings are supported with equipment such as flashing lights to alert deaf and hard of hearing people. This has been such a good experience.

Zara Kletz

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Have you Heard? Summer Sign Language Course 2003 for Teenagers age 14 - 18yrs old Written by Course Attendee Roise Abrahams aged 14. In the week of the 28th July 2003, about 10 others and myself attended a short course of sign language for four days. By the end of it most of us acquired a basic knowledge of the language. The ages ranged from 14 - 19 but we still worked at the same pace. On Monday we learned finger-spelling which is for names and things that don't have signs. Each day we revised what we had learned the day before. By Tuesday we studied question words and sentence structures in BSL. We also acted out role-plays regularly using our new vocabulary, which were clothes and colours. Wednesday was our day off. Rosie Abrahams second from the right Thursday we learned numbers and ages with actions to describe the characteristics of the face. Then a few members of the group left to go to an optional trip to the theatre. They went to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre to see a performance of an all woman cast of 'King Richard The Third'. This show was a sign language interpreted show and it was very interesting to see how the signer managed to relay the script to the deaf members of the audience, in addition to using body language and facial expressions to bring life to the performance. The rest of the students who stayed behind learned how to inform people of the time and to ask other people the time. The next day was Friday, which was our final day of the course. We gained knowledge of how to express food. Those of is who attended everyday received a certificate of recognition for our efforts. In my opinion it was a success and should be repeated. Our teacher was Barbara who was very understanding and easy to understand. It worked to our advantage that she was deaf as we communicated in sign the entire time. The majority of the class enjoyed it and some wish to take it further. Thank you to JDA and Hand-in-Hand for organising this for us.

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Deaf Awareness for Teenagers

Click here to see photos from this event

In 2002, the JDA, in conjunction with JLGB Hand-In-Hand, organised a unique event, which was the first of its kind, as part of 'MADD' Day (Make A Difference Day). At The Chat Room, hearing, deaf and hard of hearing teenagers gathered together for a 'Deaf Awareness Day' to gain an invaluable insight into the lives of deaf people.

Guest speaker, Paula Garfield, an actress from the BBC series 'Switch', told of her experiences as a deaf actress and the setting up of her new theatre company called 'DEAFinitely'. The youngsters then took part in an exciting, interactive Deaf Awareness Training session and, after a gourmet meal of typical Sunday bagels, there were competitions, games and prizes.
This was a great opportunity for deaf and hearing people to meet and form new friendships and several of the youngsters have kept in touch.

Jacqui Press is planning to develop more activities for teenagers and is looking to work together with various youth groups and organisations. If you want to know more, please contact Jacqui.

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