DIARY OF A BSL STUDENT.....

When I first came to work for Deaf Umbrella way back in 2002, I had not had any previous contact with the Deaf Community.  The role I had applied for was purely administrative and, in this respect, it was something I was more than equipped to fulfil.  However, it became very clear to me quite quickly that the job I had been lucky enough to be offered was far more than a purely administrative role! 

For starters, we had a Deaf Receptionist – a really lovely, friendly soul who smiled “Good Morning” every day, but with whom I had no effective way of communicating.   We obviously also had d/Deaf visitors to the Office on a regular basis.  In addition to this, I was processing bookings for Sign Support for clients without any real understanding of why certain rules, boundaries, limitations and Codes of Conduct were necessary.  Of course, I could implicate said rules, boundaries, limitations & Codes of Conduct and ensure that the correct support was in place, but I wanted to gain understanding too!  I felt it would enable me to perform my administrative duties to a much higher standard. 

So, I took it upon myself to enrol on a very basic 6 week BSL course offered by the then Bexley Deaf Centre, just off Vicarage Road in Bexley Village.  Well – I was hooked!  I really enjoyed the course, and more importantly I really liked being able to communicate with my colleague on Reception and the d/Deaf visitors to our Offices more effectively.  I began to understand why the rules, boundaries, limitations and a Code of Conduct for the Signers were all so important.  As soon as the 6 week course finished, I decided that maybe I should take my Level 1 – having never displayed any aptitude for any languages at school (and being a particular dullard at Latin), suddenly I found I was actually quite good as Signing.  I was delighted! 

Deaf Umbrella was equally delighted and offered to assist & sponsor me with my Level 1 – so, my new course swiftly followed.  My Tutor was Peter Brown – he made learning real fun and the classes just sped by.  It hardly seemed to take the academic year – having started classes in September, the summer exams came around very quickly indeed.  So, armed with my Level 1 Certificate I was proudly on my way to being competent Signer.

At this point, I took a leave of absence from my work at Deaf Umbrella in order to undertake some charity work.   I subsequently found myself in an Orphanage in Bucharest, Romania - and guess what?  Sign language came in very handy indeed!  Whilst this charitable work was extremely rewarding, it was deeply emotional, very draining and something I could not sustain for long.  I was also missing my work at Deaf Umbrella and all my colleagues.    

So, approximately 2 years later, I returned to Deaf Umbrella in January 2007 and very quickly felt as if I had never left!  The Company had expanded and taken on additional staff to cope with the increased demand for Signers.  I was delighted to be back and very soon got to know all the new staff members and re-acquaint myself with the many long-serving members of staff who continued to work for the Company. 
During my first year back with the Company, I updated my Administrative qualifications and undertook an NVQ Level 3 in Business and Administration.  However, I missed my signing – maybe Level 2 would not be such a bad idea? 

So, with the active support of Deaf Umbrella I once again grasped the nettle and enrolled at my local Adult Education Centre on a Pre Level 2 course in September 2010.  I felt stretched and enjoyed learning lots of new signs – getting to grips with non-manual features and multi-channel signs was a real step up!  Some signs are so obvious - probably even the least deaf-aware person could understand them!  Other signs I have struggled to learn – the key seems to be relating the sign to something – finding a link to help you remember – a “memory hook”. 

The sign for Greece comes easily – my Grandmother was Greek and it is a hand gesture she used often (although not in a way I could describe here – she was a spirited and often outspoken lady of character!).  The multi-channel signs are harder, but I am determined to get there in the end! 

All in all, however, I was once again really enjoying the course and benefitting from the learning experience.  

By January 2011 I was ready for the Level 2 course itself – another year of study and 3 exams to get through.  Oh well, I had come this far, and I was enjoying the learning process, “so why not?” I asked myself! 

As well as the sheer enjoyment of my classes, the additional knowledge was very useful for my role as Office Manager at Deaf Umbrella (yes, the icing on the cake, I had been promoted within a Company for whom I loved working!).  I had a far greater insight into the difficulties and dilemmas faced by our Signers out in the workplace.  I was also able to put my additional acquired knowledge regarding the professional rules, boundaries, limitations and Code of Conduct adhered to by our staff.  I began to really understand the powerful position of the Signer initiating the interpreting process and the necessity for the Code of Conduct and other boundaries and rules that we as a Company enforce.  Of course, I had been very aware of these guidelines prior to starting my Level 2 – they were guidelines I worked with every day when matching staff to bookings.  However, the additional Signing knowledge I was gaining on a weekly basis was becoming crucial to my role within the Company – and I was really enjoying the benefits of the classes in so many ways. 

In addition, it was very interesting to get to know my classmates; what brought them to the classes, why did they want to learn to Sign, what motivated them, what was their end goal?

 We are a class of some 14 students – some have drifted away during the course of the last two terms.  Some have joined us ... we are a fluid bunch!  We all draw from each other’s experiences and we both learn from and teach each other. 

It is a very co-operative environment.  Our Tutor is excellent – whilst her teaching style is very different from Peter Brown’s, Barbara Morley is a joy to learn with and she is certainly going to get some good results with this current cohort of Level 2 students.

 Fingers crossed, I am one of the group who passes all 3 exams... however, I will have to overcome my fear and trepidation of that video camera! 

I digress - my classmates; what brought them to the classes, why did they want to learn to Sign, what motivated them, what was their end goal?  A couple of Modern Foreign Language Teachers are hoping to pass their knowledge onto the children in their school via an after school club; many want to work as Learning Support or Classroom Assistants (being young
Mums they hope to work in schools when their own children enter the Reception classes); some would like to eventually take the Interpreter route and are already talking about their Level 3 NVQ and finally, there are the usual “I want to help the Deaf” comments – not sure the Deaf want to be “helped” per se, but there you go!  

It is interesting that, having discussed my job at length with my fellow students, it soon became apparent there is very little insight into the professional boundaries that lie beyond our classroom environment.  One recently discussed horror story remains with me – the lady who was asked by a Social Worker to accompany her on a family visit – as a Level 1 Signer apparently any signing ability is better than none and surely that will do?  My classmate was delighted to be asked by her work colleague, knew no better other than to accept the assignment, and felt she did a good job in all the circumstances....  How do you begin to address that? 

Of course, the Social Worker was at fault for putting her in this position in the first place.  Whilst NVQ Level 3 covers Deaf Culture, Professional Boundaries and many other necessary skills and areas of learning for the working Signer, maybe it is time that Signature (formerly CACDP) thought about adding a Deaf Awareness element to the Level 1 and 2 courses, and touched on the issue of professional boundaries also? 

The job of the working Signer / CSW / Interpreter is so much more than just the ability to sign – even if your signing skills are excellent, there are so many other things to take into account.  I am learning every day from reading assignment feedback at work.  I have so much more insight into this now that I am learning to sign myself.  The courses have been invaluable! 

So, the Summer Term has now ended – Receptive Skills exam is done and hopefully dusted – and classes start again in September, with two more exams to go before Christmas and the end of the course.  I am practising my signing at work and hope that this will see me through the Summer months!  The BSL Dictionary is still in my handbag – and likely to remain there for some time! 

Onwards and upwards, eh?!

I returned from my holidays to a pile of post..... Nestling in the midst of all the bills was an ominous brown envelope marked “Adult Education College Bexley”.  I decided to leave this one until last – even opening a Bank Statement may be preferable to the contents of that particular envelope!Eventually I summoned up the courage – I was delighted to read that I had PASSED!!!!!  So, I can now look forward to the beginning of the Autumn Term with that result safely tucked under my belt.... one exam down, two to go!

It has been a while since my last diary entry – much has happened.  I was absolutely delighted to find, when I returned to my classes in September, that not only had I passed my Receptive Skills exam - I had actually gained 100%.  I was particularly pleased as I feel this is the area I have struggled with....  Conversation comes more easily; I use my Signing in the Office and with d/Deaf friends and colleagues.  I have no difficulties making myself understood and understanding others – I am surely doing OK?  I am gaining in confidence with my signing abilities, and regular use of my skills is definitely helping.

Since September, exam practise for both Conversation Skills and Presentation Skills has been the order of the day.  I struggle with the video camera still, but I am learning to overcome my fears.  My classmates are all very supportive and we help each other.  A handful of the more advanced Signers took their Presentation Skills exam in the summer term; we were all amazed and extremely surprised to learn that some of the most competent Signers failed their exam on BSL structure and will have to re-sit in December alongside the remainder of the class.  Well, it does happen – people fail exams for all sorts of reasons.... 

However, unfolding events do make me question Signature and their examination methods & criteria.  The first batch of us to sit our Conversation module was in store for an even bigger shock – we all failed!  We went into our Presentation exam even more nervous - knowing we had one failure behind us puts even more pressure on to pass the next stage!   I am stunned that all 7 candidates apparently did not reach the required standard?!  We have received excellent teaching from Barbara; we have all worked hard and, certainly in my case, have no problem conversing with members of the d/Deaf community outside of the classroom environment. 

Signature requires payment before releasing a breakdown of your marks; Signature requires additional payment for a re-mark of your exam (and there is no guarantee that you will pass following a re-mark) and finally, Signature requires payment of repeat examination fees.....  Failing an entire class seems a very lucrative pastime to me! 

I must stress that the following is purely a personal view and not necessarily the views of Deaf Umbrella.  However, it is certainly a view shared by others with a wider involvement in the d/Deaf Community as a whole – there must be some reason why so many potential Signers choose not to continue their studies after Level 2?  I would be the first to agree it is essential that only the most competent go forward to work within the d/Deaf community and continue with their training....  I have to ask though – why do Signature make it so very hard to become a Sign Language Interpreter?  I have calculated that, on average, it will take the most dedicated of Signers a very long time to reach Interpreter status:-

• 1 year - Level 1
• 18 months – 2 years Pre Level 2 and Level 2
• 2 years - Level 3
• &/or 3 years Deaf Studies Degree
  
  
• 2 years - Level 4 / 6
• Followed by Interpreter Training and registration

To put this into context, a Veterinary degree is achieved in 6 years and a Medical degree is achieved after four years of medical school, a one year “internship” and a period of “residency”.  In short, it may be quicker (and possibly cheaper) to take a Medical Degree (whether your patients will eventually have 2 legs or 4!) than to undertake Interpreter Training.  There are just over 500 (519 at the last count – and this of course assumes nobody is off sick for the day, emigrates from the UK or leaves the profession for whatever other reason!) fully qualified, MRSLI registered Interpreters servicing the needs of the d/Deaf Community in the UK – no wonder!  Yes, of course, standards need to be maintained, but is it any wonder that people are put off from continuing their training after Level 2?  Level 1 is easily achieved, Level 2 is the next step along the road and appears to be unnecessarily difficult and complicated (not to mention expensive when Signature rack up the charges for re-sits)....

OK – rant over – I must stress yet again that this is a purely personal view, but I am sure that many of you will agree with me.  I take nothing away from the dedicated people and extremely competent Signers who are progressing up the career ladder to the position of fully qualified Interpreter.  They have worked hard,  invested a great deal in their qualifications and are for the most part consummate professionals – however, I feel there needs to be some change in the way the lower level qualifications are assessed, managed and certified in order to encourage people to continue & invest in their training.  This will have a long term benefit for everyone, surely? 

I am fortunate, my local Adult Education Centre mis-calculated the number of weeks for my course, and I actually have another 4 weeks to go?!  I can easily slot in a re-sit for my Conversation exam (and even the Presentation too if necessary).

I will find the necessary funds – a minimum of £63 per re-sit...  I will get my Level 2 and grudgingly thank Signature in the process!  I enjoy my signing, I love being able to communicate effectively with my d/Deaf friends and colleagues – their assistance in helping me polish and hone my skills is invaluable – I just wish that Signature would meet their students half way! 

The final instalment – well, for now anyway!  I was not lucky enough to pass my Presentation examination.  There were many in my group who did not – so that is a large percentage of us who have two exams to re-sit.  There is more than one student amongst us who is inclined to give up, which I think is a terrible shame having invested all that time, effort and money into their training.  Me?  Well, I am now even more dubious about Signature and their examination processes.  There has been a great deal of chatter on the WWW via Facebook and other similar sites about whole classes right across the country failing their Level 2 exams.  I am very disappointed to hear this for the sake of my fellow students.  However, somehow this also gives me hope, as I know my signing is basically good and that I will get there in the end!  I am finding it very hard to reconcile the exams processes and apparent lack of consistency in the marking with the small number of Language Service Professions working in the field.  Whilst standards should of course be high and maintained to the strictest standards, I do not understand why Signature is making it so very hard to break into the profession!  Can anyone explain this to me please? 

I cannot fault the teaching I received; however I do wonder whether a change of Tutor and a change of scene may help – if only to get me into a different mind-set and prepare me for the exams I need to face.  I have decided that I am not going to re-sit through the Adult Education Centre.  I will attend some polishing up sessions and re-sit my exams later in the year through another Examination Centre.   The summer will bring new challenges – BSL 202 & 203 at the forefront of them! 

I am determined – I will get my Level 2 Certificate in the end!  Amanda Turner