Teaching skills for teachers

Daryl: Where can I find teaching and learning materials?

Avril: You can buy materials from publishers, you can find materials on line, and the educational organisation you work for should have collected resources however creating your own materials will match your teaching style. We can divide materials into two broad categories: materials which teachers use to aid instruction “Teaching or Instruction” Materials and “Learning Materials” those which students use to reinforce their language learning and BSL acquisition. In most contexts the materials will contain the “ Target Language”, BSL. However, some written English explanation will be needed. In textbooks and vocabulary booklets both English and BSL will be used for explanations and will be “meta” language.

Daryl: How will I know which materials to use?

Avril: You will usually be following a curriculum divided into teaching sessions, which generally have a theme or topic. The teaching materials you select should be appropriate to the “target” language of the session, the vocabulary and the grammar.

Daryl: You divided materials into teaching materials and learning materials what is the difference?

Avril: We will go into detail later but broadly teaching materials are generally either published materials, which you can buy, or materials which teachers create as visual aids to teaching activities. These will include pictorial representations of BSL with English explanations, Video materials, CD ROMs of language exercises.

Daryl: What are the materials students need to reinforce their learning?

Avril: The materials learners need so they can establish BSL should be authentic sources where Deaf people using British Sign Language. Teachers should provide actual recordings of BSL taking care to select the correct level of vocabulary and grammar to correspond to the curriculum, assessments and student’s needs. Authentic BSL can be obtained or created from a variety of multi media materials and sources, which we will detail later in this Unit.

Daryl: When I am teaching which kinds of teaching and learning activities need visual materials?

Avril: To back up the BSL you use during your teaching sessions, for example question and answer sessions and conversations, you can use visual/pictorial aids. For vocabulary enhancement and grammar exercise you can use CD ROMS or Pictorial representations. Later for comprehension and translation you can use published or created video or mini-DV sources.

Daryl: I will be using formal assessments where will I get the materials?

Avril: For external qualifications you can buy published practice materials from awarding qualification organisations. For internal assessments within your school, college or university you can create materials with your team to meet aims and outcomes of the course. Materials used for assessment must be carefully aligned to standards required for the outcomes of the BSL course. Seek advice form other colleagues.