Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

SN children

Makaton/BSL help

23 replies

nuru · 13/09/2009 16:05

Am struggling with putting signs together for the books dd2's class are doing at school this half term - Little Red Hen, Handa's Surprise and Oliver's Vegetables - a whole new world of vocab!!

So, does anyone know a sign for 'mill' and/or 'grind'?

Might be back for more ideas later.
TIA

OP posts:

Report

RaggedRobin · 13/09/2009 21:58

not sure of the sign for either but the sign for coffee is a grinding motion using the fingerspelled "g" handshape. if i was making up a sign for the grinding of a mill i'd probably make it bigger, perhaps using my forearms to do the grinding motion. sorry not to be more helpful!

nuru · 13/09/2009 23:29

That's really helpful, thanks, and a great suggestion!

OP posts:

mumoverseas · 14/09/2009 12:28

Hi Nuru and Ragged Robin, hope you don't mind me crashing your thread but I was going to start a new one regarding BSL/Makaton and found this.

I've done various BSL/Makaton courses over the years, all with a view to hopefully teaching deaf children but I could never really afford to give up my career to do this. I'm now on an extended career break and have made a decision to follow my dream.
I'm starting a baby/todder singing and signing class but want to gain a formal qualification with a view to being able to go into special needs teaching in the future when I return to the UK.

Any suggestions with regards to courses. I'm abroad at the moment so it would need to be something I could do via correspondance course/distance learning.

bigcar · 14/09/2009 13:55

Don't know if this is any use here mumoverseas

mumoverseas · 14/09/2009 16:42

thanks bigcar, thats really useful.
Think I might have been a bit hopeful in my ambition as looking at that article there is a lot of training involved and am currently thinking of maybe trying to train as a special needs assistant as obviously sign language is not just for the deaf.

It would be virtually impossible for me to obtain the qualifications required to be a 'proper' teacher whilst I'm abroad really interesting and helpful information though and really appreciate that.

I've been trying to look at various low entry level courses in special needs but they all seem to require that you are working yet how can you get a job without the qualifications?

nymphadora · 14/09/2009 17:11

Work with adults with LD , lower paid, but it gets you experience with SN

RaggedRobin · 14/09/2009 21:37

hi mumoverseas,

i teach deaf children - it's a great job if you do decide to follow that route. i was initially an english teacher and did the modular qualification in the evenings and on day release while working as a teacher. learning bsl is a lifelong commitment, i've found!

often services for deaf children will have roles for classroom assistants if you'd like to get experience first. or your makaton skills would be useful in a special school setting.

the council for advancement of communication with deaf people have recently changed their name to signature (i wonder why?!) and their website might be useful to see what kind of career opportunites might be open to you. good luck!

BrigitBigKnickers · 14/09/2009 22:16

Hi another ToD here!

I was a primary school teacher working in a school with an enhanced provision for deaf children. I started learning to sign and now have CACDP level 2.

A job came up in the Unit and I got the job and transferred from mainstream teaching.

I did the Birmingham Uni distance learning course (2 years) It was VERY hard work but so worth it. It's just the best job ever.

Another option that is better paid than a TA would be to get an educational communicator qualification. Not sure of the details of the course but sure you could find out if you google it.

BrigitBigKnickers · 14/09/2009 22:20

BTW nuru have you seen signed stories Any use?

RaggedRobin · 14/09/2009 22:29

howdy doody! ooo, am interested in that signed stories website.

nymphadora · 15/09/2009 08:15

Bigbrightknickers when did you do your course? My partner used to lecture on it!

Do you sign robin? I usedto be a signer in a school and used to interpret for both tod we used as neither signed!

nymphadora · 15/09/2009 08:18

Sorry robin just realised you do!

mumoverseas · 15/09/2009 10:22

thanks for all your advice ladies.
Not much chance of finding work here with adults with LD as they just don't have the same facilities here that they have in the UK.

There is a multi-national school that apparently does have a small SN department so I will look into that.

I did the CACDP level 1 BSL around 5 years ago and did a few level 2 workshops/working towards level 2, started the course and then moved abroad.
I've been having a nightmare with CACDP/Signature as I've been trying to get a copy of my certificate (lost in move) as will need that to even try to get a low level job and also, if I manage to get on a level 2 course when I get back to UK will need proof of Level 1. They are unfortunately been very unhelpful and I've been waiting since June or the confirmation

I attendd a baby/todder signing class with my DC in the summer and have 'refreshed my memory' and am starting my baby & toddler signing classes in a few weeks. Really want to build on that though with a view to a 'proper job' when I return to the UK.

brigit what was the two year distance learning course you did? sounds like it might be something I may be able to do from here?

BrigitBigKnickers · 15/09/2009 16:55

Nymphadora I did the Birmingham course between April 1994 and 1996.

mumoverseas to do the course you need to already be qualified as a teacher (and be working with deaf children while you train)and there are half termly tutorials which are local and a residential week at the uni in both years of the course so from overseas probably wouldn't work.

nymphadora · 15/09/2009 19:28

Ah he started in 1998 so too late for you!

nymphadora · 15/09/2009 19:28

Ah he started in 1998 so too late for you!

nuru · 16/09/2009 09:43

thanks BBK - just discovered that signed stories site at the w/e - it's great, isn't it?

OP posts:

nuru · 17/09/2009 22:24

sorry, me again!

anyone know a sign for 'surprise' ?

OP posts:

BrigitBigKnickers · 18/09/2009 00:05

Tap Tips of fingers, both hands, on chest and move them slightly forward in one jerky motion. Facial expression to shows surprise (eyes wide open mouth open)similar to sign for shock.

nuru · 19/09/2009 09:19

Thanks! You're a star

OP posts:

mumoverseas · 28/09/2009 12:22

can any of you lovely ladies help me with the sign for Pink (think it is quite similar to 'sad' but can't quite remember) and
zebra?

TIA

draughts · 28/09/2009 12:41

Hello, I'm not sure of the sign for zebra but pink is first finger dragging along the gum line outside of the mouth iyswim. As in pink for pink gums.

HTH.

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

mumoverseas · 28/09/2009 13:24

Hi, so quite similar to red then but with the gum instead of lip?
Thanks for that

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.