The Deaf First dept at Oak Lodge School for the Deaf, offer a wide range of courses. We also provide Communication Support Workers for Deaf students who attend College. Study with the team that is at the heart of the Deaf community.

Introduction to Sign Language Courses
This course is recommended for the beginners who are new to British Sign Language. The course is 12 weeks in duration and will cover the basics of British Sign Language, the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture, finger-spelling simple signs.

British Sign Language Level 1
Nationally recognised and accredited by Signature. Introduction unit 101 is from the Signature curriculum, where you get to grips with simple signs, greetings, numbers and basic conversational skills.

British Sign Language Level 2
Nationally recognised and accredited by Signature. There are four themes in this qualification: everyday conversation, eating and drinking, shopping and spending, and travel and holidays. You will study the first theme everyday conversation, and two from the remaining three themes.

Level 3 NVQ Certificate in BSL (New – Starting in September 2010)
Nationally recognised and accredited by Signature. For those looking to make the step to the higher level BSL qualifications that are required to become a practising BSL/English Interpreter, NVQ Assessor, Teacher of Deaf Children, or a Translator.

Level 4 NVQ in British Sign Language
The CACDP Level 4 NVQ in British Sign Language is designed for learners who can understand and use complex language, express themselves fluently and deal confidently with most work situations. This course is useful for those working on a daily basis with Deaf people, as well as learners who wish to become a British Sign Language Interpreter.

Deaf Awareness Training
This course is a one day course and is specifically designed for those who work with Deaf / Hard of Hearing people. You will learn effective methods of communication that can be used, information regarding technological aids and language / culture of deaf people.

For BSL tutors: Techniques in how to teach British Sign Language
If you teach British Sign Language then this is the course for you. It will give you an in depth knowledge of how to teach British Sign Language to a group of students. This is an intensive course that will be run at the weekends. For more information contact the Deaf First.

Linguistics for CSWs
This is a one day course designed for CSWs. It is aimed at covering the basics of Linguistics in BSL morphology, morphemes, aspect, manner, mood, verbs, question and negation. The course will explain to those working in an educational setting what BSL signs are borrowed and how Deaf people can help develop subject specific signs.

Voice-over for CSWs
The course will cover how to voice-over in various social contexts. It will help provide specific strategies that will help the Communication Support Worker in an educational setting. This course will give you the confidence to be able to voice-over in a variety of situations.

Audiology
The audiology training is for CSW that support students that use technological aids. The course will cover the use of hearing aids, maintenance of equipment, Cochlear implants, radio aids, auditory processing disorders, portable sound field amplification systems and use of ICT.