GCSE in BSL
So far 4,065 people support our project
Background
British Sigh Language (BSL) in schools would enhance an individual's employability and open up a wealth of career opportunities for young people they may have previously not considered. There is a shortage of qualified interpreters and other professionals who work with deaf people and well established career progression pathways.
BSL is the first language of an estimated 70,000 Deaf people in the UK (DWP 2003). A GCSE in BSL would give Deaf people the chance to achieve a qualification in their first language and give their peers the opportunity to learn valuable visual communication skills.
With many deaf schools closing, more deaf children are joining mainstream schools. Introducing BSL into mainstream provision would enable deaf and hearing children to compete on an equal footing.
Our work so far
Early this year, we started a piece of work to look at how we can develop and deliver BSL in Secondary Schools. Establishing BSL as part of the secondary timetable is very important to us and we need to make sure that we follow current educational trends. We need to provide a course that schools will be happy to teach and meets their requirements.
The campaign to introduce BSL focuses on the language being recognised as part of the Modern Foreign Language framework. At the moment BSL is not recognised as a Modern Foreign Language. The introduction of the English Baccalaureate means that schools may only consider offering a language qualification if it fits within the Modern Foreign Language Framework.
Signature is now working with ministers to highlight the need for change and BSL to be included in the Modern Foreign Language framework.
Whilst a GCSE remains our ultimate goal, we are looking at other ways to encourage schools to take up BSL. We are researching the possibility of introducing BSL taster sessions / Deaf Awareness into schools. Schools may be more likely to offer a GCSE if their students have already done some work in earlier years. We would welcome feedback on how this could be done.
If you are interested in this project or have any questions please email Gillian Marshall-Dyson on gillian.marshall-dyson@signature.org.uk.
Help Shape Future Learning
To promote the GCSE, Signature needs your support and input. We would really appreciate if you can complete the form below and forward to anyone you feel would be interested.