Let’s Sign: BSL Building Blocks. By Cath Smith. Tutor book pound;24.99. Student primer pound;4.99. CD-Rom pound;12.99. Taster pack pound;29.99. Co-Sign Communications Tel: 01642 580505.
Let’s Sign is a new sign language taster pack consisting of three parts that can also be bought separately. They are all attractive and relate well to each other. Together they enable tutors and students to have an enjoyable and informed introduction to British Sign Language (BSL).
The introductory text in the tutor book clearly articulates why the resource has been produced - to encourage pupils, teachers and others to have a better understanding of deafness and sign language communication.
Cath Smith is explicit in stating her position in the debates about sign language and oral approaches. This resource values BSL as much as it values deaf people. Users are invited to share in learning sign language both because it benefits all children’s development and because it is a language worthy of exposure and essential to deaf culture.
Few would doubt Cath Smith’s concern that with increasing numbers of deaf pupils in mainstream schools there is a real need to raise awareness and confidence in BSL. She is realistic that we are some way from schools being ideal language-learning environments for deaf children and that emotional and academic penalties are paid for this.
As well as providing a succinct and highly readable background on deafness and BSL, the A4 spiral-bound tutor book gives guidance on signing, teaches signs and includes resources such as flashcards and lotto or domino style matching games. The CD-Rom contains reference video clips of the signs - these are clear and with beautifully expressive communication from a three-year-old.
Let’s Sign has many strengths. It would undoubtedly stimulate children’s interest (I found it captivating). There is no tokenism; we are introduced to a real language in ways that do not compromise it. The emotional and social concept signs are a fresh alternative to naming everyday objects and have much greater potential for rich classroom discussion. Though the drawings of young children may place limits on older children’s pleasure in this resource, I highly recommend it.
MELANIE NIND
Melanie Nind is senior lecturer in inclusive and special education at The Open University
