Authentic language is not created just for language courses in the classroom. It is the real language of every day life. Materials, which are authentic, are often described as “REALIA”. The grammar and vocabulary of authentic BSL grounds the language learners in reality and will remind them that there is a community of people using BSL in their lives.
So although BSL teachers can create materials to teach the language topics within the curriculum teachers should use authentic language from a variety of sources to enable BSL learners to acquire language from the community.
Oral languages can be taught using printed written materials such as newspapers, magazines etc, as well as audio-visual resources but BSL by its nature must be taught visually.
Teachers can use published resources which are appropriate but can prove expensive such as Videos, CD ROMs, websites which have fees as well as a variety printed images of BSL.
There are however free resources such as dedicated BSL television programmes, free BSL websites and software down loads such as power-point presentations on line. Since official recognition of BSL a multiplicity of dedicated websites exist.
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