pupils' new language

Deaf Society's initiative could lead to understanding, and a GCSE

TUTOR: Deaf tutor Chantelle Alker holds the East Lancashire Deaf Society course at Witton Park High School for Year 10 pupils

EAST Lancashire's Deaf Society has teamed up with schools to encourage pupils to learn sign language -- ahead of a possible new GCSE.

Pupils at a dozen schools are learning the alphabet, how to count, and say basic phrases in an initiative to increase their awareness and do more to integrate deaf people in the community.

And the First Steps 10-week course, which is currently running at Witton Park High School in Blackburn, is proving a big hit with Year 10 pupils.

They are learning how to count out numbers by using their hand and nose as well as paying attention to body language.

Chantelle Alker is the course leader who has been deaf since birth. She has taught pupils at a range of schools including Our Lady and St John, Blackburn, and Holy Trinity in Darwen. Speaking through her translator Sallyann Taylor, she said: "Getting the children to enjoy the course is the important bit and they seem to pick it up well."

The British Sign Language course was started at Witton thanks to pupil Stephen Dean, whose mum works for the ELDS, approaching IT teacher Karen Riding. Mrs Riding has herself followed a Makaton course in sign language and uses it to supplement communication with her 10-year-old son John who suffers from autism.

Mrs Riding said: "Stephen is interested in working as a teacher in special school when he is older, so suggested the sign language course. So far they have all really enjoyed it. Some wanted a bit of a challenge and others just find it fascinating to learn a new language."

Some of the pupils are using the course to count to their personal or community challenges on the Trident award -- accredited by the East Lancashire Education Business Partnership.

The British Sign Language Association is currently looking into a Fourth Step course which would follow on from the first three levels and would be equivalent to a GCSE.

Nathan Creedon, 15, said: "I was interested in the language and it is something new to learn. I would certainly try for a GCSE if I did well at this stage."

By CLARE COOK

Education Reporter