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Qualification Specification

Level 6 NVQ Certificate in British Sign


Language
500/9581/X

Sept 2010 – Aug 2011


Signature
Mersey House
Mandale Business Park
Belmont
Durham DH1 1TH

Telephone: 0191 383 1155


Textphone: 0191 383 7915
Fax: 0191 383 7914
Email: durham@signature.org.uk
Website: www.signature.org.uk

© Signature May 2010

Signature is a trading name of CACDP. CACDP is a charity registered in England and Wales (charity number 1071662); a charity registered in Scotland
(charity number SCO37901); and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (company number 3581178). Our registered office is at
Mersey House, Mandale Business Park, Belmont, Durham DH1 1TH
QUALIFICATION SPECIFICATION
Signature Level 6 NVQ Certificate in British Sign Language (QCF)
(QAN: 500/9581/X)
(Signature Qualification Reference: BSL6)

Qualification Aim

Level 6 NVQ Certificate in British Sign Language (BSL) caters for the learning needs of those
who already have competence in BSL at Level 3. Successful candidates must be able to
demonstrate competence at Level 6 of the UK Occupational Language Standards (CILT, 2010).
This means that the learner will be able to understand and use complex BSL in a range of work
and social situations.

The assessment criteria for this qualification are taken from the UK Occupational Language
Standards at Level 6 (‘Complex’ language use) and are equivalent to those for Modern Foreign
Languages at Honours Degree level.

The qualification is at:

• Level 6 on the Qualification & Credit Framework (QCF),


• Proficiency Grades 13 – 15 on the Language Ladder, and
• Proficient User: C1 ‘Effective operational proficiency’ on the Common European Framework.
SL1 Qualification Specification
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Successful completion of this qualification can be used as evidence of the language skills
needed in order to be able to operate at a professionally proficient level in the target
language. It is useful for those who work professionally with Deaf people (for example
teachers and lecturers in BSL, social workers, teachers of the Deaf, trainee interpreters,
voluntary workers, workers within Deaf organisations, schools, etc) or those who aspire to
work in these contexts. The Unit Titles refer to ‘work situations’ but the content and
assessment criteria allow for evidence from a wide range of contexts

BSL6 Qualification Specification


1
Unit type Signature QCF unit Unit title Guided Additional Total
unit code number learning study/ learning
hours practice time/credits
(GLH) time

Understand
complex
British Sign
180 hours
Mandatory BSL601 J/601/9016 Language in a 90 hours 90 hours
18 credits
wide range of
work
situations
Use complex
British Sign
Language in a 180 hours
Mandatory BSL602 R/601/9018 90 hours 90 hours
wide range of 18 credits
work
situations

Progression Routes

On completion of this qualification, the candidate may wish to progress to Signature Level 6
NVQ Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting

SL1 Qualification Specification


L1 Qualification Specification

BSL6 Qualification Specification


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Unit Specification
BSL601 – Understand complex British Sign
Language in a wide range of work situations
J/601/9016

Sept 2010 – Aug 2011


Signature
Mersey House
Mandale Business Park
Belmont
Durham DH1 1TH

Telephone: 0191 383 1155


Textphone: 0191 383 7915
Fax: 0191 383 7914
Email: durham@signature.org.uk
Website: www.signature.org.uk

© Signature May 2010

Signature is a trading name of CACDP. CACDP is a charity registered in England and Wales (charity number 1071662); a charity registered in Scotland
(charity number SCO37901); and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (company number 3581178). Our registered office is at
Mersey House, Mandale Business Park, Belmont, Durham DH1 1TH.
UNIT SPECIFICATION
Unit BSL601 – Understand complex British Sign Language in a wide range
of work situations
(QCF Unit Number: J/601/9016)

GLH: 90
Credit: 18 credit points at Level 6

Note:
The natural context for using British Sign Language (BSL) is in conversations, discussions, and
presentations, i.e. in two-way communication. The best approach to teaching is therefore to
work through both units at the same time, covering receptive and productive linguistic issues
together.

Assessment evidence drawn from situations involving two-way communication can be used for
both Receptive and Productive units, provided that the standard of BSL used meets the
requirements for Level 6 in both areas.

Unit aim/purpose

The aim of this unit is to enable the candidate to understand complex BSL in the context of a
range of work and social situations.
SL1 Qualification Specification
L1 Qualification Specification
Overview

You can extract complex information from a wide range of sources, even when it is delivered at
speed. You are comfortable with a range of regional variations, formal and informal language,
relevant technical vocabulary and colloquialisms. You can take part in negotiations, and deal
with complaints, problems or disputes. You can also make effective use of the
telephone/videophone or other web-based live communications.

BSL601 Unit Specification


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Learning outcomes Assessment criteria
On completion of this unit, the learner On completion of this unit, the learner can:
will:

1. Be able to understand complex 1.1 Identify:


social interaction a. regional variations
b. idiosyncratic signs
c. differences of style or register
1.2 Infer:
a. humour
b. sarcasm
c. ambiguity
1.3 Identify complex feelings
1.4 Recognise all signed and other non-verbal
cultural conventions

2. Be able to understand signed 2.1 Identify from complex language of any speed or
communication in a wide range of length:
complex work situations a. complex information
b. general meaning
c. specific details
d. complex questions or enquiries
e. complex comments or responses
SL1 Qualification Specification f. complex arguments or lines of reasoning
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g. complex instructions
h. complex advice
i. complex requests and their urgency or
priority
j. complex requirements or needs
2.2 Recognise opinions
2.3 Relay information from BSL into his/her own
language

BSL601 Unit Specification


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3. Be able to understand a complex 3.1 Recognise a wide and complex range of
range of vocabulary and technical vocabulary:
language a. signs to deal with most matters relevant to
his/her work
b. currently-used colloquialisms/idiosyncratic
signs used socially and in relevant business
contexts
c. less common technical terms within his/her
area of work
d. most signs used for linking and sequencing
e. the language of numerical data and
statistical information

4. Be able to understand a full range 4.1 Recognise


of grammatical forms a. all verb forms in normal use
b. all sentence structures, except the most
complex or obscure
c. a wide range of structures to denote:
• standard sign language
• colloquial/idiosyncratic signs
• formal register
• informal register

5. Be able to use reference sources 5.1 Use language reference sources effectively to
SL1 Qualification Specification confirm or clarify meaning of signs in complex
L1 Qualification Specification
usage

BSL601 Unit Specification


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Content

BSL Receptive Skills (Level 6)


The table starting on page 6 indicates the amount and level of BSL required at Level 6.

It is expected that while studying for this unit, learners will demonstrate their knowledge and
understanding of the required elements of BSL Sign Linguistics in a range of practice settings,
by responding to communications presented in BSL, to show their understanding of the
meaning and content of the message.

When they are ready for assessment, learners will provide recorded evidence of their
knowledge and understanding through demonstrating their receptive skills (i.e. their
understanding of communication presented in BSL) in a variety of settings (see assessment
criteria on pages 2-3).

Vocabulary
The learner should be able to demonstrate his/her understanding of the communications of
others on a wide range of issues, including technical language relating to the workplace. An
appropriate range of areas of vocabulary must be demonstrated in the assessment. Some
examples are provided in the NVQ Handbook for Signature NVQ Certificates and Diplomas
(QCF) which accompany this qualification.

Knowledge
SL1 Qualification and understanding
Specification
L1 Qualification Specification
Knowledge and understanding is not assessed separately, but through achievement of the
assessment criteria on pages 2-3.

At Level 6, the learner will be able to demonstrate 1 – 11 shown on the next page:

• at any speed and whatever the length


• in most work and social situations
• using technical vocabulary and complex grammatical structures as needed

BSL601 Unit Specification


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K1 Handle complex social interactions, understanding all signed and other non-verbal
cultural conventions.

K2 Understand complex information.

K3 Extract all relevant details and the general meaning of presentations, talks and
discussions.

K4 Understand complex enquiries, questions, comments and responses.

K5 Follow complex arguments and lines of reasoning.

K6 Understand complex instructions, advice and requests and their priority.

K7 Understand humour, sarcasm and ambiguity.

K8 Identify opinions and values and distinguish them from other information.

K9 Identify complex feelings, needs and preferences.

K10 Understand different regional variations and most colloquialisms, and identify the style
and register of language used.

K11 If appropriate,
SL1 Qualification informally relay information into your own language.
Specification
L1 Qualification Specification

BSL601 Unit Specification


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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in Sign vocabulary examples or meanings
understanding detail
1.1 Identify: K1 • Appropriate complex range and selection • Varied and complex sign vocabulary
a. regional variations Handle complex social of established vocabulary in different including regional differences, e.g.
b. idiosyncratic signs interactions, styles or register numbers, people, colours, etc
c. differences of style understanding all • To show the differences of formal and • Idiosyncratic, e.g. bizarre, cranky,
or register signed and other non- informal style or registers curious, eccentric, erratic, freakish, odd,
verbal cultural • Appropriate complex range and selection peculiar, quaint, queer, quirky, singular,
4.1 Recognise conventions of sign language structures, which use strange, unnatural, unusual, weird, (she
a. all verb forms in the major verb forms has an idiosyncratic way of driving) –
normal use K2 • Appropriate complex range and selection peculiar to the individual
b. all sentence Understand complex of established sign language vocabulary • All verb forms, e.g. main verbs or lexical
structures, except information and sign language forms for expressing verbs – to work, to sing, to make, to cut,
SL1 Qualification
the most Specification
complex to do, to be
L1 Qualification Specification these functions and emotions
or obscure • Appropriate complex range and choice of • Regular verbs, e.g. played, started
K10
c. a wide range of sign language terms for the more • Irregular verbs, e.g. to go, went, gone,
Understand different
structures to denote: specialised technical vocabulary, e.g. law think, thought
regional variations and
• standard sign language terminology, medical terms, work-related • Infinitive verbs, e.g. to enjoy, to study, to
most colloquialisms and
• colloquial/ vocabulary in regional variations play, to stay up late, bring up, take off,
identify the style and
idiosyncratic signs • Appropriate common language, e.g. boss look for, set off
register of language
• formal register instead of employer, kid instead of child, • Obscure – not clearly understood or
used
• informal register could also be on-literal expressions, e.g. expressed; unclear, confusing, difficult
“its raining cats and dogs” to understand

BSL601 Unit Specification

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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in Sign vocabulary examples or meanings
understanding detail
• Colloquial: characteristic of informal • Denote - be a sign or indication of; "Her
spoken language or conversation, smile denoted that she agreed" –
regional slang, informal language usually showed, announce: make known, make
appropriate for spoken or informal rather an announcement, e.g. "She denoted
than to written or formal language her feelings clearly"
1.2 Infer: K7 • Appropriate complex range and selection • Infer means to draw a conclusion, as by
a. humour Understand humour, of established sign language vocabulary reasoning:
b. sarcasm sarcasm and ambiguity and sign language forms for expressing a. joke, funny story, amusing statement
c. ambiguity these functions and emotions b. use of words to damage the
reputation of, or hurt, another
person. Sharp, bitter, or cutting
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Specification expression or remark, a bitter jibe or
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taunt
c. having more than one possible
meaning, open to two or more
interpretations, or of uncertain
nature or significance, or often
intended to mislead, unclear and
vague, of persons; hesitant;
uncertain, not taking sides

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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in detail Sign vocabulary examples or meanings
understanding
1.3 Identify complex K9 • Appropriate complex range and selection of • Complex NMF and emotions
feelings Identify a range of eye and body movements, eye gaze,
complex feelings, nodding and facial expressions and
needs and preferences expressing complex feelings and emotions

1.4 Recognise all signed K3 • Appropriate complex range and selection of • Use complex sign vocabulary
and other non-verbal Extract all relevant established vocabulary in different styles
cultural conventions details and the general • Appropriate complex range and selection of • Structured delivery of presentation or
meaning of sign language structures and vocabulary, discussions
3.1 Recognise a wide presentations, talks e.g. one handed and two-handed variants,
and complex range of and discussions clarity of articulation, manual versus non- • Placement of objects, people etc
SL1 vocabulary: Specification
Qualification manual grammatical markers, facial
L1 Qualification Specification
a. signs to deal with most expression, amount of fingerspelling • NMF and emotions
matters relevant to • Appropriate complex range and selection of
his/her work established sign language vocabulary and • Continuity of BSL vocabulary involving
b. currently-used sign language forms for expressing these two different signs at the same time
colloquialisms/ functions and emotions
idiosyncratic signs • Appropriate complex use of signing space • I ate my dinner, a light flashed, I looked
used socially and in and role shift up, got up and opened the door
relevant business • Appropriate complex range and selection of
contexts facial expressions and mouth actions

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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in detail Sign vocabulary examples or meanings
understanding
c. less common technical • Appropriate complex use of signs to show • I meet my boss everyday to discuss
terms within his/her two actions taking place simultaneously problems
area of work • Appropriate complex use of aspectual
d. most signs used for auxiliaries to mark actions that have • “No” vocabulary – I didn’t do it, I do not
linking and sequencing happened, are completed or not yet agree with you, it was not me
e. the language of completed, etc
numerical data and • Appropriate complex aspectual modifications • Emphasis on NMF – SHOULD and
statistical information of the sign to show interruption, frequency, MUST, WANT, etc
duration, etc • Dates, time, calendar, money, weight,
• Appropriate complex range and selection of measures, size, enumeration
negation signs including negative modals, • Plural signs to show amount of times or
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Specification facial expression and head movement happenings
L1 Qualification
• Appropriate complex range and selection of
modal auxiliaries (e.g. MUST, SHOULD) and • Pronouns – he, she, you, me, her, him
related non-manual features • Possessive – mine, hers, his, ours
• Appropriate complex range and choice of
vocabulary for expressing numerical data
• Appropriate complex use of pronouns –
pointing, enumerating, possessive and self

BSL601 Unit Specification

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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in detail Sign vocabulary examples or
understanding meanings
2.1 Identify from K4 • Appropriate use of temporal order to show • Use hand, and pointing following eye
complex language of any Understand complex prominence of complex information (including gaze, at appropriate height level
speed or length: enquiries, questions, topic comment structures and rhetorical • RH questions
a. complex information comments and questions) and cause and effect • Open and closed questions
b. general meaning responses • Appropriate complex range and selection of • Follow up questions
c. specific details affirmative signs, repetition of part of question, • Probing questions
d. complex questions K5 head movement, facial expression and eye • Agreement verbs, e.g. I give you, he
or enquiries Follow complex gaze passed the present to her
e. complex comments arguments and lines of • Appropriate complex range and selection of • Numbers – I gave him twice
or responses reasoning question signs, facial expressions, eye gaze • Time order from start to finish
f. complex arguments and head movement
SL1 Qualification Specification
L1 Qualification
or linesSpecification
of reasoning K6 • Appropriate use of sign language structures to • Start of day and midday and end of
g. complex instructions Understand complex show conditionally (‘if’, ‘then’) day
h. complex advice instructions, advice • Connectives include ‘wh’, ‘but’, ‘means’, ‘if’,
i. complex requests and requests and their ‘through’, ‘or’, ‘become’, ‘like’, and ‘add’ • Complex Instructions – doing
and their urgency or priority • Appropriate chronological ordering of elements something
priority • Appropriate complex range and selection of
j. complex established sign language vocabulary and sign • Understand complex advice
requirements or language forms for expressing these functions
needs and emotions • See Conditional paper

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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in detail Sign vocabulary examples or
understanding meanings
• Appropriate use of time lines and time signs, • Placements and sign space –
time sequences in space, buoys as event enumeration – I am responsible for
markers, etc five departments – 1st Quality Dept,
• Appropriate expressions of time – when an 2nd Marketing, 3rd Customer Support,
event occurs, how events relate to each other 4th Finance, 5th Training
in time, etc
• Appropriate use of space including time lines,
pointing, placing and enumerating signs in
space

2.2 Recognise opinions K8 • Appropriate use of temporal order to show • Complex NMF and emotions

SL1 Specification Identify opinions and


QualificationSpecification prominence of complex information (including
L1 Qualification
values and distinguish topic comment structures and rhetorical
them from other questions) and cause and effect
information

2.3 Relay information K11 • If the candidates first language is BSL they will • Can be spoken or written in English
from BSL into his/her If appropriate, receive in BSL and pass the information in
own language informally relay BSL
information into your • If the candidates first language is English they
own language receive the information in BSL then relay in
English

BSL601 Unit Specification

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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in detail Sign vocabulary examples or
understanding meanings
5.1 Use language • Use of sign language books, website, internet,
reference sources CD-ROMS to confirm or clarify the meaning of
effectively to confirm or BSL in complex usage
clarify meaning of signs
in complex usage

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Specification
L1 Qualification

BSL601 Unit Specification

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Level 6 NVQ Certificate in British Sign Language
Unit BSL601

ASSESSMENT SPECIFICATION
Candidates’ evidence will be collected in a portfolio which must fulfill the evidence requirements
listed below.

The evidence will be:

a) internally assessed and


b) internally quality assured

by appropriately qualified staff from the centre.

External quality assurance will be provided by a Signature External Verifier. CILT’s assessment
strategy (March 2010) will be followed, adopting most elements of the ‘NVQ Code of Practice
2007’.

Candidates’ results will be not confirmed until all of the above processes have been completed.

Evidence Requirements

Evidence can be generated by candidates in the workplace or other (e.g. social) contexts.
Alternatively, assessment opportunities can be created in the classroom. Classroom-based
SL1 Qualification Specification
L1 Qualification Specification
assessments may simulate external environments, or can focus on an exchange of learners’
views and opinions on a range of topics, but the use of language must be spontaneous, i.e. not
rehearsed.

It is likely that assessment evidence, whatever its origin, will show understanding of the
following, when expressed in BSL:

• information and personal opinion


• debate with others whose views may differ
• arguments in support of own views

BSL601 Unit Specification


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• reason with others when persuasion is required
• response to enquiries, advice and instruction.

During the initial assessment-planning discussion, the candidate and their assessor should
identify opportunities for collecting evidence, and learning gaps that need to be filled.

Candidates must satisfy the assessor that they have mastered all of the assessment criteria on
pages 2-3 and can understand BSL to the required standard:

• at any speed and whatever the length


• in most work and social situations
• using technical vocabulary and complex grammatical structures as needed.

The candidate must therefore produce evidence of mastery of each criterion on at least two
occasions. This must be recorded on the Candidate Assessment Record (CAR) form on page
16.

Assessment Summary

i. Total evidence required for this unit A total of at least 45 minutes of BSL receptive
skills.

ii. Total number of pieces of evidence At least eight pieces of receptive evidence
required for this unit
NB. evidence for receptive skills can also be used
SL1 Qualification Specification for productive skills where relevant.
L1 Qualification Specification

iii. Number of pieces of evidence to be At least six of the eight pieces of receptive
recorded on video/DVD evidence.

iv. Breadth of vocabulary shown At least two distinct vocabulary areas or contexts.
across evidence

v. Coverage of assessment criteria Evidence must show that each assessment


criterion has been achieved on at least two
occasions, i.e. at least two ticks in each column
on the CAR Form.

BSL601 Unit Specification


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Summary of Portfolio Requirements for Level 6 NVQ Certificate in British
Sign Language
Units BSL601 and BSL602

i. Candidate Profile A summary of the candidate’s background and reasons


for gaining the qualification.

ii. Initial Assessment Plan Record of initial discussion between candidate and
assessor:
• Aspects of learning needed to cover gaps
• Candidate’s access to assessment opportunities
• Reasonable adjustments
• Agreed action plan.

iii. Assessment Plans Above initial assessment plan reviewed and updated at
regular intervals, and cross-referenced across the
portfolio.

iv. CAR BSL601 and CAR CARS of each unit shows the progress and the evidence
BSL602 collection is made up together to achieve the unit. Each
column has to be covered at least twice.

v. Evidence covering the To be cross-referenced to CAR Form, i.e. at least two


assessment criteria for each ticks in each column on the CAR Form:
unit (see summaries in each • Video evidence to be logged to identify location of
unit specification for details) relevant clip(s).

SL1 Qualification
vi. Specification
Assessment Record Sheets Assessor to give feedback on candidate’s progress and
L1 Qualification Specification
achievements for each evidence seen and assessed.

NB. Candidates can evaluate their own performance but


has to be agreed by the teacher-assessor.

vii. Professional discussion (if Assessor may arrange a professional discussion with the
appropriate) candidate to cover minor gaps in assessment criteria, to
complete candidate’s claim to competence.

viii. Signing off of the portfolio See documents in the NVQ Handbook for Signature NVQ
Certificates and Diplomas (QCF).

BSL601 Unit Specification


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Unit BSL601 – Understand complex British Sign Language in a wide range of work situations

CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT RECORD (Receptive)


Candidate Name:………………………………………………………….. Assessor Name:…………………………………………………………..

Evidence Subject area Video/ Assessment criteria – must tick at least twice in each column.
item: details DVD
Ref No & Title Ref 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 2.1 2.2 2.3 3.1 4.1 5.1

a b c a b c a b c d e f g h i j a b c d e a b c

1.

2.
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3.

4.

5.

I confirm that the evidence is authentic work of the candidate:

Candidate’s signature: ………………………………… Date completed: …………… Assessor’s signature: ……………………. Date: …………….

Internal Verifier’s signature: …………………………… Date: ……………………….. Report No: ……………………

BSL601 Unit Specification

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Unit Specification
BSL602 – Use complex British Sign Language
in a wide range of work situations
R/601/9018

Sept 2010 – Aug 2011


Signature
Mersey House
Mandale Business Park
Belmont
Durham DH1 1TH

Telephone: 0191 383 1155


Textphone: 0191 383 7915
Fax: 0191 383 7914
Email: durham@signature.org.uk
Website: www.signature.org.uk

© Signature May 2010

Signature is a trading name of CACDP. CACDP is a charity registered in England and Wales (charity number 1071662); a charity registered in Scotland
(charity number SCO37901); and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (company number 3581178). Our registered office is at
Mersey House, Mandale Business Park, Belmont, Durham DH1 1TH.
UNIT SPECIFICATION
Unit BSL602 – Use complex British Sign Language in a wide range of work
situations
(QCF Unit Number: R/601/9018)

GLH: 90
Credit: 18 credit points at Level 6

Note:
The natural context for using British Sign Language (BSL) is in conversations, discussions, and
presentations, i.e. in two-way communication. The best approach to teaching is therefore to
work through both units at the same time, covering receptive and productive linguistic issues
together.

Assessment evidence drawn from situations involving two-way communication can be used for
both Receptive and Productive units, provided that the standard of BSL used meets the
requirements for Level 6 in both areas.

Unit aim/purpose

The aim of this unit is to enable the candidate to use complex BSL in the context of a range of
work and social
SL1 Qualification situations.
Specification
L1 Qualification Specification
 

Overview

You can communicate fluently over extended periods with only occasional inaccuracy - which
you can usually correct. You can discuss all topics within your field, even when abstract or
complex, and keep the conversation going smoothly. You can use your language skills to
develop relationships with individuals and groups, and also, if required, negotiate in formal
meetings to reach decisions or solve problems. You can use the telephone, videophone and
other web-based technology confidently and effectively.

BSL602 Unit Specification


1
Learning outcomes Assessment criteria
On completion of this unit, On completion of this unit, the learner can:
the learner will:

1. Be able to maintain 1.1 Take an active role in social situations by:


social and professional a. setting people at ease
relationships using b. including newcomers
BSL c. contributing spontaneously to meetings or discussions
d. developing or challenging other people’s comments or
arguments
e. taking the lead when appropriate
f. finding alternative ways to express unfamiliar terms
1.2 Use all signed and other non verbal cultural conventions

2. Use complex sign 2.1 Make complex presentations using factual information to
language to support theories and ideas
communicate fluently 2.2 Express:
over extended periods a. complex proposals or suggestions
on all topics within b. complex instructions or advice
his/her field of work in a c. complex requests or enquiries
range of situations d. complex beliefs or opinions
e. complex feelings
2.3 Relay information from his/her own language into BSL
2.4 Maintain fluency even in extended contributions
2.5 Maintain grammatical accuracy even when talking about
SL1 Qualification Specification his/her own area of expertise
L1 Qualification Specification
2.6 Use accurate articulation and stress

3. Be able to use a 3.1 Use a wide and complex range of vocabulary:


complex range of a. signs to deal with most matters relevant to his/her work
vocabulary and b. currently-used colloquial/idiosyncratic signs
technical language c. less common technical terms within his/her area of
work
d. most linking and sequencing signs and conventions
e. the language of numerical data and statistical
information

BSL602 Unit Specification


2
4. Be able to use a full 4.1 Use a full range of grammatical forms
range of grammatical a. all verb forms in normal use
forms b. all sentence structures, except the most complex or
obscure
c. a wide range of structures to denote:
• standard sign language
• colloquial/idiosyncratic signs
• formal register
• informal register

5. Be able to use 5.1 Use language reference sources effectively to confirm or


reference sources clarify meaning of signs in complex usage

SL1 Qualification Specification


L1 Qualification Specification

BSL602 Unit Specification


3
Content

BSL Productive Skills (Level 6)


The table on page 6 indicates the amount and level of BSL required at Level 6.

It is expected that while studying for this unit learners will demonstrate their knowledge and
understanding of the required elements of BSL Sign Linguistics in a range of practice settings,
by communicating with others in BSL, to show their ability to convey a message appropriately.

When they are ready for assessment, learners will provide recorded evidence of their
knowledge and understanding through demonstrating their productive skills (i.e. their ability to
communicate in BSL) in a variety of settings (see assessment criteria on pages 2-3).

Vocabulary
The learner should be able to demonstrate his/her ability to communicate with others on a wide
range of issues, including technical language relating to the workplace. An appropriate range of
areas of vocabulary must be demonstrated in the assessment. Some examples are provided in
the NVQ Handbook for Signature NVQ Certificates and Diplomas (QCF) which accompany this
qualification.
.

Knowledge and understanding


KnowledgeSpecification
SL1 Qualification and understanding is not assessed separately, but through achievement of the
L1 Qualification Specification
assessment criteria on pages 2-3.

At Level 6, the learner will be able to demonstrate 1 – 13 shown on the next page:

• clearly, fluently and accurately


• in a wide range of situations
• using complex language as needed

BSL602 Unit Specification


4
K1 Take an active role in social situations, setting people at ease and including newcomers.

K2 Use the right signed and other non verbal polite conventions.

K3 Contribute spontaneously to meetings and discussions, leading if appropriate.

K4 Develop or challenge other people’s comments and arguments.

K5 Make complex presentations using factual information to support theories and ideas.

K6 Make complex proposals or suggestions and give instructions and advice.

K7 Make complex requests and enquiries.

K8 Express complex beliefs, feelings and opinions.

K9 Use register, technical language and idiom as appropriate to the subject matter, context
and your relationship with others.

K10 Find alternative ways to express unfamiliar terms.

K11 Maintain fluency in extended contributions, and accuracy when operating within your
area of expertise.

SL1 Qualification Specification


L1 Qualification Specification
K12 Use accurate articulation and stress which put no strain on other people’s understanding.

K13 If appropriate, relay information informally across languages.

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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in detail Sign vocabulary examples and
understanding meanings
1.1 Take an active role K1 • Appropriate complex range and selection of • How to welcome colleagues
in social situations by: Take an active role in established sign language vocabulary and sign • Introduce yourselves and each other
a. setting people at social situations, language forms for expressing these functions • Give thanks and appreciation
ease setting people at ease and emotions • Able to express regrets, apology and
b. including and including sadness
newcomers newcomers • Appropriate complex range and selection of • Able to use different ways of closing
c. contributing established sign language vocabulary and sign down conversations or discussions
spontaneously to K3 language forms for expressing these functions • Able to use strategies to depart from
meetings or Contribute and emotions finished conversations
discussions spontaneously to
SL1 Qualification Specification
L1 Qualification Specification
d. developing or meetings and
challenging other discussions, leading if
people’s comments appropriate
or arguments
e. taking the lead when K4
appropriate Develop or challenge
f. finding alternative other people’s
ways to express comments and
unfamiliar terms arguments

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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in detail Sign vocabulary examples and
understanding meanings
1.2 Use all signed and K2 • Appropriate complex range and selection of • Non-verbal polite conventions -
other non verbal cultural Use the right signed established vocabulary in different styles (greeting facial expression and
conventions and non verbal polite gestures, spatial distance, touch, eye
conventions contact, tone of voice)
2.1 Make complex K5 • Appropriate complex use of temporal order to • RH questions
presentations using Make complex show prominence of complex information • Open and closed questions
factual information to presentations using (including topic comment structures and • Follow up questions
support theories and factual information to rhetorical questions) and cause and effect • Probing questions
ideas support theories and • Appropriate complex range and selection of
ideas eye and body movements, eye gaze, nodding
SL1 Qualification Specification and facial expressions
L1 Qualification Specification
K9 • Appropriate complex range and selection of
Use register, technical sign language structures, which use the major
language and idiom as verb forms
appropriate to the • Appropriate complex range and choice of sign • Idioms, e.g. kick the bucket (to die),
subject matter, context language terms for the more specialized dead to the world (fast asleep), let
and your relationship technical vocabulary, e.g. law terminology, (one’s) hair down (to act freely and
with others medical terms, work-related vocabulary in naturally, to be informal, to relax
regional variations

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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in detail Sign vocabulary examples and
understanding meanings
2.2 Express: K6 • Appropriate complex range and selection of • Instructions – doing something that
a. complex proposals Make complex established sign language vocabulary and sign the other you wants someone to do
or suggestions proposals or language forms for expressing these functions • Give advice
b. complex instructions suggestions and give and emotions • Use hand, and pointing following eye
or advice instructions and advice • Appropriate complex range and selection of gaze, at appropriate height level
c. complex requests or affirmative signs, repetition of part of question, • RH questions
enquiries K7 head movement, facial expression and eye • Open and closed questions
d. complex beliefs or Make complex gaze • Follow up questions
opinions requests and enquiries • Appropriate complex range and selection of • Probing questions
e. complex feelings question signs, facial expressions, eye gaze
SL1 Qualification Specification • Appreciation
L1 Qualification Specification
K8 and head movement • Apology – cannot do something
Express complex • Appropriate use of temporal order to show • Disagree or disappointment
beliefs, feelings and prominence of information (including topic • Opinions – give different views,
opinions comment structures and rhetorical questions) feelings, ideas to change things for
and cause and effect the better

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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in detail Sign vocabulary examples and
understanding meanings
2.4 Maintain fluency K10 • Appropriate complex use of temporal order to
even in extended Find alternative ways show prominence of complex information
contributions to express unfamiliar (including topic comment structures and
terms rhetorical questions) and cause and effect
2.5 • Appropriate complex range and selection of
Maintain grammatical K11 established vocabulary in different styles
accuracy even when Maintain fluency in • Appropriate complex range and selection of
talking about his/her extended contributions, established sign language vocabulary and sign
own area of expertise and accuracy when language forms for expressing these functions
operating within your and emotions
SL1 Qualification Specification
L1 Qualification Specification
2.6 Use accurate area of expertise • Appropriate complex range and selection of
articulation and stress modal auxiliaries, e.g. MUST, SHOULD, CAN)
K12 and related non-manual features
3.1 Use a wide and Use accurate • Appropriate accuracy, articulation and stress of
complex range of articulation and stress verbs
vocabulary: which put no strain on • Appropriate complex range and choice of sign
a. signs to deal with other people’s language terms for the more specialised
most matters understanding technical vocabulary, e.g. law terminology,
relevant to his/her medical terms, work-related vocabulary
work

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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in detail Sign vocabulary examples and
understanding meanings
b. currently-used • Appropriate complex range and selection of • Appreciation
colloquial/ established sign language vocabulary and sign • Apology – cannot do something
idiosyncratic signs language forms for expressing these functions • Disagree or disappointment
c. less common and emotions
technical terms • Appropriate complex use of signing space • Placement of objects, people etc
within his/her area of • Appropriate complex range and selection of
work facial expressions and mouth actions • NMF and emotions
d. most linking and • Appropriate complex use of signs to show two
sequencing signs actions taking place simultaneously
and conventions • Appropriate complex use of aspectual • Continuity of BSL vocabulary involving
SL1 Qualification Specification
e. the language of auxiliaries to mark actions that have
L1 Qualification Specification two different signs at the same time.
numerical data and happened, are completed or not yet
statistical completed, etc
information • Appropriate complex aspectual modifications
of the sign to show interruption, frequency,
4.1 Use a full range of duration, etc
grammatical forms: • Appropriate complex range and selection of
a. all verb forms in negation signs including negative modals,
normal use facial expression and head movement

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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in detail Sign vocabulary examples and
understanding meanings
b. all sentence • Appropriate complex range and selection of • I ate my dinner, a light flashed, I
structures, except modal auxiliaries (e.g. MUST, SHOULD) and looked up, got up and opened the
the most complex or related non-manual features door
obscure • Appropriate complex range and choice of
c. a wide range of vocabulary for expressing numerical data
structures to denote: • Appropriate complex use of pronouns – • I meet my boss everyday to discuss
• standard sign pointing, enumerating, possessive and self problems
language • Appropriate complex use of time lines and time
• colloquial/ signs, time sequences in space, buoys as
idiosyncratic signs event markers, etc • “no” vocabulary – I didn’t do it, I do not
SL1 Qualification Specification
• formal register • Appropriate complex expressions of time – agree with you, it was not me
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• informal register when an event occurs, how events relate to
each other in time, etc
• Appropriate complex use of sign language • Emphasis on NMF – SHOULD and
structures to show conditionally (‘if’, ‘then’) MUST, WANT etc
• Appropriate complex use of space including • Dates, time, calendar, money, weight,
time lines, pointing, placing and enumerating measures, size, enumeration
signs in space • Plural signs to show amount of times
• Appropriate complex use of chronological or happenings
ordering of elements

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Assessment criteria Knowledge and Explanation of NLS 2010 references in detail Sign vocabulary examples and
understanding meanings
• Connectives include ‘wh’, ‘but’, ‘means’, ‘if’, • Pronouns – he, she, you, me, her, him
‘through’, ‘or’, ‘become’, ‘like’, and ‘add’ • Possessive – mine, hers, his, ours
• To show formal and informal registers

2.3 Relay information K13 • If the candidates first language is BSL they will • Can be spoken or written in English
from his/her own If appropriate, relay receive in BSL and pass the information in
language into BSL information informally BSL
across languages • If the candidates first language is English they
receive the information in BSL then relay in
English
SL1 Qualification Specification
L1 Qualification Specification
5.1 Use language • Use of sign language books, website, internet,
reference sources CD-ROMS to confirm or clarify the meaning of
effectively to confirm or BSL in complex usage
clarify meaning of signs
in complex usage

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Level 6 NVQ Certificate in British Sign Language
Unit BSL602

ASSESSMENT SPECIFICATION
Candidates’ evidence will be collected in a portfolio which must fulfill the evidence requirements
listed below.

The evidence will be:

a) internally assessed and


b) internally quality assured

by appropriately qualified staff from the centre.

External quality assurance will be provided by a Signature External Verifier. CILT’s assessment
strategy (March 2010) will be followed, adopting most elements of the ‘NVQ Code of Practice
2007’.

Candidates’ results will not be confirmed until all of the above processes have been completed.

Evidence Requirements

Evidence can be generated by candidates in the workplace or other (e.g. social) contexts.
SL1 Qualification Specification
L1 Qualification Specification
Alternatively, assessment opportunities can be created in the classroom. Classroom-based
assessments may simulate external environments, or can focus on an exchange of learners’
views and opinions on a range of topics, but the use of language must be spontaneous, i.e. not
rehearsed.

It is likely that assessment evidence, whatever its origin, will show understanding of the
following, when expressed in BSL:

• information and personal opinion


• debate with others whose views may differ

BSL602 Unit Specification


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• arguments in support of own views
• reason with others when persuasion is required
• response to enquiries, advice and instruction.

During the initial assessment-planning discussion, the candidate and their assessor should
identify opportunities for collecting evidence, and learning gaps that need to be filled.

Candidates must satisfy the assessor that they have mastered all of the assessment criteria on
pages 2-3 and can use BSL to the required standard:

• clearly, fluently and accurately


• in a wide range of situations
• using complex language as needed.

The candidate must therefore produce evidence of mastery of each criterion on at least two
occasions. This must be recorded on the Candidate Assessment Record (CAR) form on page
16.

Assessment Evidence Summary

i. Total evidence required for this A total of at least 45 minutes of BSL productive skills
unit

ii. Total number of pieces of At least eight pieces of productive evidence


evidence required for this unit
SL1 Qualification Specification NB. Evidence for productive skills can also be used
L1 Qualification Specification
for receptive skills where relevant.

iii. Number of pieces of evidence At least six of the eight pieces of productive
to be recorded on video/DVD evidence.

iv. Breadth of vocabulary shown At least two distinct subject areas or contexts.
across evidence

v. Coverage of Assessment Evidence must show that each assessment criterion


Criteria has been achieved on at least two occasions, i.e. at
least two ticks in each column on the CAR Form.

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Summary of Portfolio Requirements for Level 6 NVQ Certificate in British
Sign Language
(Units BSL601 and BSL602)

i. Candidate Profile A summary of the candidate’s background and reasons


for gaining the qualification.

ii. Initial Assessment Plan Record of initial discussion between candidate and
assessor:
• Aspects of learning needed to cover gaps
• Candidate’s access to assessment opportunities
• Reasonable adjustments
• Agreed action plan.

iii. Assessment Plans Above initial assessment plan reviewed and updated at
regular intervals, and cross-referenced across the
portfolio.

iv. CAR BSL601 and CAR CARS of each unit shows the progress and the evidence
BSL602 collection is made up together to achieve the unit. Each
column has to be covered at least twice.

v. Evidence covering the To be cross-referenced to CAR Form (i.e. at least two


assessment criteria for this ticks in each column on the CAR Form):
unit (see summaries in each • Video evidence to be logged to identify location of
unit specification for details) relevant clip(s).

SL1 Qualification
vi. Specification
Assessment Record Sheets Assessor to give feedback on candidate’s progress and
L1 Qualification Specification
achievements for each evidence seen and assessed.

NB – Candidates can evaluate their own performance but


has to be agreed by the Teacher-Assessor.

vii. Professional discussion (if Assessor may arrange a professional discussion with the
appropriate) candidate to cover minor gaps in assessment criteria, to
complete candidate’s claim to competence.

viii. Signing off of the Portfolio See documents in the NVQ Handbook for Signature NVQ
Certificates and Diplomas (QCF).

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Unit BSL602 – Use complex British Sign Language in a wide range of work situations

CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT RECORD (Productive)


Candidate Name:………………………………………………………….. Assessor Name:…………………………………………………………..

Evidence item: Video/ Assessment Criteria – must tick at least twice in each column.
Ref No & Title DVD
Ref
1.1 1.2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 3.1 4.1 5.1

a b c d e f a b c d e a b c d e a b c

1.

2.
SL1 QualificationSpecification
Specification
L1 Qualification
3.

4.

5.

I confirm that the evidence is authentic work of the candidate:

Candidate’s signature: ………………………………… Date completed: …………… Assessor’s signature: ……………………. Date: …………….

Internal Verifier’s signature: …………………………… Date: ……………………….. Report No: ……………………

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