This is an article entitled 'Aiming for Total Communication' written for NASEN Special Extra Magazine Issue 8 July 2013 and gives an overview of the use of British Sign Language (BSL) signs in education. It includes illustrated examples of the importance of facial expression in communication and 'iconicity' - the pictorial element of signs and how this can link to meaning. BSL signs not only form the basis of communication for many children in the field of deafness and Special Educational Needs but there are some extremely encouraging developments by Luton Borough Council with whole schools learning signs targeted at specific areas of underachievement for hearing children.

An alternative version of the British Sign Language Fingerspelling Alphabet with darker skin tones. Signing, spelling, manual alphabet, SSE, makaton. Left-handed version. Eyecatching and colourful guide to encourage all children to learn the Fingerspelling Alphabet. Useful as a direct link to the written word it is helpful to deaf BSL users and also in the field of Special Educational Needs to provide a visual and kinaesthetic addition to language learning for children with additional communication needs. Fingerspelling is an important and integrated part of BSL - it provides a direct link to literacy, can be easily learned and with practice can help to improve word recognition.

Variation and Political Correctness in BSL Signs for Countries. Sign language, SSE, Sign Supported English, Deaf Culture . Shows some illustrated examples of signs for countries with alternative versions that are considered to be more politically correct - an excellent article for discussion on the topic language and culture - ie of the effects that different cultural perspectives and sensitivities can have on language.

Colourful and eye-catching version with the new wording for the Rainbow promise with BSL signs to accompany the words of the promise. Suitable for BSL and SSE (Sign Supported English) users who are deaf, have special educational needs such as autism and down syndrome who use signs to support communication, and those with additional speech and language needs.

Enjoy singing and signing this popular Christmas song. Ideal for Christmas concerts and assemblies for whole school involvement and inclusion for children who are deaf or have special educational needs and use signs in their communication. The key-words are illustrated with sign vocabulary to accompany the words and support the spoken English rhymes.

Lovely Early Years signs for: animal, bird, butterfly, cat, cow, deer, dog, donkey, duck, fish, fly, frog, horse, kangaroo, koala, kookaburra, owl, parrot, pig, possum, rabbit, shark, sheep, snake, spider, wombat. Colourful Flashcard format of illustrated animal pictures and sign graphics with written descriptions. Includes: Basic Handshape Key and Fingerspelling Alphabet. One sign per page - clear and simple – with appeal to learners of all abilities. Some signs have more than one version and the commonly used variations are included but, as with learning any language, the best way to learn is by face to face contact with native sign language users. The Let’s Sign resources are designed to support this. Australian Sign Language (Auslan) and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) are the sign languages of the deaf communities of Australia and New Zealand. Both have evolved from forms of British Sign Language (BSL) and together the three languages comprise the BANZSL language family. They share many of the same vocabulary items and structural features in addition to the use of the same two-handed fingerspelling alphabet. Because of these similarities, the Let’s Sign BSL resources of dictionaries, posters, flashcards, stickers and graphics have been of interest to learners of Auslan and NZSL. This includes people wishing to communicate within the Deaf community and also increasingly in the field of Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Baby Signing, where signs are used with spoken language to support communication and language development – known as Sign Supported English (SSE). Due to requests, this resource has been created using the most appropriate and commonly used versions of signs for Australian and New Zealand learners and we welcome your feedback in planning any future materials - cath@deafsign.com

BSL Fruit Signs Interactive Powerpoint Show Quiz DOES NOT REQUIRE A PASSWORD - PLEASE CHOOSE 'READ ONLY' WHEN THE OPTION BOX APPEARS TO OPEN, OR SAVE TO DESKTOP AND OPEN IN SLIDESHOW FORMAT FOR FULLY INTERACTIVE VERSION Interactive and colourful, covers 9 fruits with word, sign and picture. Items are presented in flashcard format and includes numbers and counting section. Includes Let's Sign BSL graphics and Widgit picture symbols for pear, banana, orange, apple, plum, grapes, cherry, strawberry and melon. Designed for maximum visual impact. Interactive quiz in 2 parts for checking vocabulary for items of fruit and for numbers. Click on the options at the bottom and get right or wrong notification.

These are simple basic useful sign vocabulary for young children who use signs to support their learning. SSE, signs, special needs, deaf, speech and language difficulties and for whole school involvement.

These are simple basic useful signs and pictures for fruit for young children who use signs to support their learning. SSE, signs, special needs, deaf, speech and language difficulties.

Action song, sign vocabulary, SSE, Sign Supported English, BSL, signing, singing, flashcards, matching games. Graphics of sign vocabulary and printed words for the keywords of this popular little rhyme in various formats to print out and make matching games/flashcards.

This is a wonderfully engaging and interactive ebook of signs and the fingerspelling alphabet. All the images are linked so that you can navigate between the picture images (Widgit Software graphics), the signs and the fingerspelled letters (Let's Sign BSL graphics) - simply click on the images and/or the header words to link to the written descriptions. Looks great on large screen and children love to choose the letter or sign they wish to view. This resource is ideal for encouraging whole school involvement in learning some basics and for introducing the topic of alternative communication systems and languages.

This publication has been produced in response to frequent requests for translated British Sign Language (BSL) materials for speakers of URDU, GUJARATI and BENGALI. The translation work was carried out initially in 2004 with the help of the National Deaf Children’s Society and the original publications were printed and in poster/mat format. Contains 40 signs in four topic pages translated into the three languages with fingerspelling alphabet borders. GREETINGS HELLO, WELCOME, GOOD, MORNING, AFTERNOON, EVENING/NIGHT, ALL RIGHT?, NAME, WHAT?, PLEASE/THANK YOU. FAMILY FAMILY, MOTHER, FATHER, SISTER, BROTHER, GRANDMOTHER, GRANDFATHER, HUSBAND/WIFE, FRIEND, NEIGHBOUR. FEELINGS FEEL, SAD, HAPPY, SCARED, ANGRY, FED UP, DON’T LIKE, HURT, UPSET, LOVE. QUESTIONS QUESTION, WHY? WHAT? WHEN? WHO? HOW? HOW OLD?, HOW MANY?, WHERE? WHICH? The English meanings have been added below each sign and written descriptions for the sign movements have been added at the back of the publication to assist teachers and carers working in this field. Supported by the Let’s Sign BSL collection of books, dictionaries, posters, flashcards, reward stickers and ebook/kindles.

BAA BAA BLACK SHEEP - Popular Children's rhyme with British Sign Language (BSL) illustrations in a Powerpoint show with simple animations. Ideal for Early Years and Primary settings for teaching all children English basics with some simple sign vocabulary - particularly children who are deaf or have special educational needs such as autism and Down Syndrome and who use signs to support communication. Does not require a password - please click 'read only' when downloading and then best viewed as animated slide show. TO VIEW ON SCREEN or IDEAL FOR USE ON INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARD Colourful signs and words to sign and sing along with.

A great chance to try out this new development with BSL school related sign graphics with QR codes to scan and link directly to video clips of the signs. Print and use as displays for pupils to scan, or this resource can be stored on smart phone and tablet for easy mobile reference. This resource helps children to try out the new technology and learn some useful signs. Suitable for learners of all ages and abilities including children who are deaf and children with additional communication and language needs.

An alternative to our full colour download, this is a line drawing version of the British Sign Language Fingerspelling Alphabet for Right-Handed signers and suitable for easy copying. Signing, spelling, manual alphabet, SSE. Useful and colourful guide to encourage all children to learn the British two-handed fingerspelling alphabet.

A colourful 4 page rhyme with BSL signs covering the 4 Seasons. Also includes descriptions of the signs on separate pages that are linked to the rhyme pages. Click on the Season on the top of the page to link to the descriptions for the 7 signs on each season’s page. Then simply click into the descriptions page to return. Opens in full screen.

A colourful and informative poster to celebrate European Day of Languages with examples of signs for family members from British Sign Laguage (BSL), American Sign Language (ASL) and German Sign Language (DGS).

A delightful book for all sign language users. This is the first illustrated publication of signed prayers for children using British Sign Language (BSL) vocabulary. Contains colourful sign illustrations and text for * Our Father * Hail Mary * Glory Be * The Morning Prayer * The Night Prayer * The Sorry Prayer This book was commissioned by the Catholic Deaf Association. The contents were directed and approved by its working group of priests, teachers and pastoral workers (hearing and Deaf BSL users) with many years of experience in this field. The signs were considered and discussed by this group - the signed prayers are presented for use by children in a way that precisely represents the way it is signed within the Catholic Deaf Association.

Part of a series to promote essential early learning skills. We hope that you enjoy counting with your child through this well-loved Nursery Rhyme and learning the signs that accompany it. Contains British Sign Language (BSL) signs, used here as Sign Supported English (SSE) to match the words, rhythms and sound patterns of the rhyme. Designed to support communication and language development in the field of deafness, special educational needs (SEN), baby signing and for all who may have additional speech and language needs. Supported by the Let’s Sign BSL Series of books, guides, dictionaries, posters, flashcards, reward stickers and graphics for creating individualised materials. We are developing this range and welcome your suggestions and feedback - cath@deafsign.com

A useful revision aid for signing classes, the 22 key-word flashcards provide a useful reference for all who use the signs from American Sign Language (ASL & SSE) to support communication with Deaf people and also provide a valuable resource for Baby Signers and children and adults with special educational needs who use signs to support spoken communication. Includes: Signs for Cloudy, Cold, Earthquake, Flood, Foggy, Heavy rain, Hot, Ice, Freezing, Lightning, Rain, Rainbow, Snow, Stormy, Sunny, Temperature, Thunder, Tornado, Twister, Weather, Windy. • Handshape Key • Fingerspelling Alphabet • Illustrated signs • Written descriptions of movements • One sign per page clear and simple