Learning with Devon ACL
Languages and Communications
British Sign Language
Communication is an essential part of everyday living.
British Sign Language is an accepted form of communication with, and among, members of the deaf community.
In selected centres across Devon, you can learn how to sign and increase your communication skills both at work and in social situations.
In addition to introductory and higher level courses, we also offer shorter courses around the theme of deaf awareness.
British Sign Language Progression Pathway:
Foreign Languages
Planning your holiday?
Thinking of buying a place in the sun?
Fed up with feeling ‘locked out’ of the language?
Confused in conversation?
Now’s your chance to learn a language which could help you not only get more out of your life but also realise your dreams.
Once you can speak the language, travel becomes easier and more enjoyable. You can get so much more out of your holiday abroad by really getting to know the people and understanding their way of life.
It’s amazing how many people think that they can’t learn a language when they’ve done it all our lives.
Everyone can be a language learner whatever their age, background or previous learning experience. Learning a language may be challenging but it is also rewarding and fun. Working with others in a class improves the incentive to learn as well as providing opportunities to practise skills with others.
Foreign Languages Progression Pathway:
Note. The example activities are deliberately all based on the topic of food to give an indication of how the language you will learn becomes more complex at each level. Be assured that many other topics will be dealt with as well in your classes!
Level |
Overview of Level |
Example activity: |
| Beginners | Get to grips with pronunciation and learn to deal with numbers, days of the week, dates and times. Build up confidence gradually on topics such as food and drink, family and shopping. |
Example activity: Call the waiter, order a drink and snack from a basic menu, ask for the bill. |
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| Improvers | Learn more about the culture and way of life of the country concerned. Begin to understand structures and use some simple past and future tenses in a range of realistic travel contexts, such as talking about yourself, eating out, buying tickets or finding the way. |
Example activity: Book a table by phone, order a meal and drink from a menu, ask about specific dietary options e.g. vegetarian say what you prefer. |
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| Improvers Plus | Consolidate your knowledge and learn to make appropriate uses of all tenses by taking part in discussions to improve fluency and extend your vocabulary. |
Example activity: Discuss types of restaurants. Make a complaint or request e.g. fork is missing, glass is dirty or ask about recipes, culinary styles. |
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| Advanced | You will be encouraged to explore and discuss authentic texts and listening materials based on topical issues, everyday life, culture and current affairs. You will take part in dialogues, discussions and debates and be encouraged to express opinions, preferences and points of view. Your knowledge and understanding of structure will be extended as you describe experiences and events using an appropriate range of tenses. | Example activity: Take part in a debate on food with other learners, discuss trends on healthy eating and diet. |
Please see below Languages and Communications course types which are held at various locations throughout Devon.
Please click on the course type that is of interest and you will see a brief description of the subject:
Course Title Beginners (Speaking &Listening) Improvers (Speaking & Listening) Improvers Plus (Reading & Writing) Improvers Plus (Speaking & Listening) Advanced (Speaking & Listening) These course types are available at various locations |
Course Title |
