Books on sign language

[Emmielu]

My sister needs to find books about learning mackaton & sign language. Where can i find some?

Makaton or BSL? They are quite different.

I have a few basic sheets on makaton. How much does she need to know, and what for? is it work related?

Its for her DD. Shes 4 & has speech delay problems & dyslexia, so her speech therapist & nursery have started doing makaton with her & shes picked up on that very quickly so they'd like to use that as a way of communication ready for when she goes to a SN school in september.

Whats the difference between makaton & BSL?

Makaton have a website with a few signs on.

EssexICE is a great site with some good vidoes on it.

BSL is what deaf people use (British sign language).

Makaton is a simplified version - you always say the words when you sign, and only sign key words, whereas with BSL you sign every word, but don't necessarily speak.

Makaton follows spoken English and you sign the key words, BSL is a language in it's own right. Some of the signs are different too. Your sister's SALT should be able to offer some help with core signs. Look at the Something Special bit of Cbeebies too, there are some signing videos there too.

Signworld is a new website with BSL learning materials, including a free Lesson One. It currently has BSL Levels 1, 2 and 3; Fingerspelling; Numbers and Colours; and a Medical Specialism. You can find it, including the free lesson, here: www.signworldlearn.com