2003 ABSLTA Workshops Archives
November 2003 - BSL Workshop at Derry, N Ireland
The ABSLT held the latest of their BSL workshops at Dungiven Castle, Derry, N Ireland, on the weekend of 8/9 November 2003.
The tutors, Charles Herd and Melinda Napier were welcomed to Derry with the usual warm Irish hospitality – a warm hospitality that lasted throughout the weekend – it was sometimes hard to remember that we were there to work.
There were 19 tutors at the workshop, most of them from the Derry and Belfast
areas, including several who used mostly ISL [Irish Sign Language]. I don’t know
how much the participants learned from the tutors but the tutors certainly
learned quite a bit of ISL from them. Richard McFadden – who organised the
workshop on behalf of the “Talking Hands” group was able to help by interpreting
“English” signs to their Irish equivalents where necessary.
The workshop covered “How to teach finger-spelling”, “Level 1 and 2 Materials
for teaching BSL”, “Teaching Methods”, Planning Lessons”, “Confidence and Skills
Building” and an “NVQ Question and Answer Session”. All were enjoyed and
appreciated by the eager participants who have already asked for more.
A vote of thanks should go to Richard for arranging the workshop - being so far
from mainland UK, the Irish tutors often feel they are neglected when it comes
to training and we hope this will have helped.
After two tough days it was a tired Charles and Melinda who flew back to
Stansted Airport on the Sunday [getting home at after 1am in the morning] tired
but satisfied that they had been able to add to the skills and knowledge of our
Irish friends. Report by
Charles Herd
Workshop Feedback - 19 participants went to the Workshop and 16 filled in the forms and their comments are as below:
- Helpful, satisfaction understandable
- Excellent + confidence I have to learn a lot
- Need to adapt and change my method of teaching. Now I can go home and teach my language.
- This is very helpful and I have learn lots new things from this course its new thing from this course its really worth for me to teaching with my students.
- Of course it was very information, handout because I need it badly for teaching 2 level. Thanks for save my life.
- Excellent and very impressive.
- I learned that it is change to method to teaching and materials. It useful to learn lots.
- How to realise the materials + given us some inspiration to look at myself + to keep on looking for better – enjoyable ways of teachings + how to use various ways of teachings etc. using some advised instructions etc + do + don’t etc. brain stormings, etc.
- I feel to interest and learn about course.
- Everything How to use + make your own materials. Widerange of teaching methods – some that I have never thought of before (couldn’t find words) Experience worth it.
- Different methods to teach
- Its worthy + a lot of learning.
- I think I have learn lots of different. It give me good experience.
- It is great to be there for the course, because there was a lot of important points that helped for the best of teaching
- That’s I learn new ways, new materials like update
OTHER USEFUL COMMENTS
- Make sure to get materials/handouts as more as which follows from on OHP as same without missing as expects!
- There are two Sign Languages used. Both tutors are BSL
users and
there should have been an ISL translator for those using ISL. - Need more practical for level 1 (how start course, how communicate more).
- I would like to see more involving in the near future.
- By same tutors today because they are very good listening.
- Good attitude Brilliant tutors.
- I like to workshop/group to discuss different method to teach.
- All were very beneficial
- Yes I would like to make other comments so I need to learn more.
- Hope to form a working partnership to bring other courses relevant to our teaching requirement.
- Would like to see this course here more often.
- More group work. More teaching for individuals.
- It is the first time Deaf Tutors from England. I would to
thank you
tutor gave a lots brilliant idea