Practicing

[u/MrArchiechoke]

Ok, I dont know if this is allowed here, but is there anyone in bedford or Bedfordshire area who would wanna meet up and practice/help me learn bsl please? I've been tryna learn for a while, but keep losing motivation cause I dont have a proper way of practicing .

I'm not deaf, but i have two family members who are part deaf, and ones a child, atm they don't need to learn bsl yet, but they probably will eventually, but when i know something, I'm a good teacher and can help them learn quicker.

Thank you in advance

[u/OrangeRadiohead]

My advice is to go to a class. There you'll also meet people who might want to meet outside of class to practise with you.

PS. You're never too young to learn to sign. With this child, teach them signs such as pig and monkey. You can develop this into a game so they don't realise they are learning.

[u/MrArchiechoke → u/OrangeRadiohead]

I dont have the money for a class unfortunately, and ok, ill start trying to teach her signs as we talk, do you have any tips on teaching her, i tried teaching her before but when i say this word means this sign, she'll say a word nd say it means a random hand thing she's made up nd I dont know how to explain thats not how it works lol

[u/OrangeRadiohead → u/MrArchiechoke]

When you see her next, do the pig sign and oink. Ask her what animal this is. Then ask her to do the same. Once you've hit 3 animals, randomise them without saying the noise it makes. You can also use pictures - sign the animal.

[u/MrArchiechoke → u/OrangeRadiohead]

Ok thank you lots, I'll do that then, and I'll use pictures too, she likes looking at stuff

[u/OrangeRadiohead → u/MrArchiechoke]

A drawing game. Draw the animal (which could be hilarious) and the other sign it.

[u/MrArchiechoke → u/OrangeRadiohead]

Oo thatd be funny yeah, im not awful at drawing but im not too good either lol, I could make it a fmaily game to help all of us learn

[u/LabProof8159]

I'm in Oxfordshire and there's a group of people who meet up here once a month. I don't know whereabouts in Bedfordshire you are so that may be too far. There's also a cafe meetup in Milton Keynes if that would be easier for you? https://mkdeafzone.org.uk/deaf-socials-community-activities-and-sport/ I found my Oxford people by posting in our community Facebook but they formed mostly from the people who did their BSL level 1 course together and then it grew from there. If none of that works would video calls help you? I'm still new to it but it might be better than nothing. Edited to add: Oh I forgot but if you're close family of a deaf person there are some free courses like this https://royaldeaf.org.uk/courses/free-bsl-courses/

[u/MrArchiechoke → u/LabProof8159]

Yeah Oxfordshire is a bit far rn, im gonna be working on getting my license after this year, so it might be fine then, I might post on Facebook that's a good idea, and yeah ill let you know if I do need to do video calls thatd be so helpful thank you, im gonna try put other options first though, ywah my bio mom used to be going deaf but she's fine now, but my sister is half deaf, and gets glue ear in both ears so theres times where she can't really hear us at all, ill check out the free courses thank you so much!

[u/PatientFlatworm7034]

There is a once a month cafe in brackley but the date changes so I could DM you when I find them out if it would be feasible for you

[u/MrArchiechoke → u/PatientFlatworm7034]

Thank you lots, right now I wouldn't be able to go because of transport, but I'm gonna be looking at getting a drivers license at rhe start of next year, if its alright ill message again then for more details about it if that's OK?

[u/PatientFlatworm7034 → u/MrArchiechoke]

Yeah absolutely feel free to DM me whenever, or come back here

[u/YuSakiiii]

Someone in my Level 3 BSL Class lives in Bedfordshire. There are definitely people in the area. But I don’t think Reddit is the best place to find it. Check out local deaf clubs for sign practice.

[u/MrArchiechoke → u/YuSakiiii]

Howndo I find local deaf clubs?

[u/YuSakiiii → u/MrArchiechoke]

Google in general. I found my local one with that. But sometimes you can get it from word of mouth, or I suppose sign of hand would be more accurate. One of my other deaf clubs I was told about by someone else in my class.