AQW 25740/22-27 Written question to the Minister for the Economy
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) the number of students undertaking sign language courses in (a) Queen's University Belfast; and (b) Ulster University; (ii) how many teaching hours are provided; and (iii) the curriculum content for each.
Asked by Kellie Armstrong MLA on 7 April 2025
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 7 April 2025
- Answer due by
- 24 April 2025
- Answered
- 30 April 202523 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for the Economy
- Priority question
- No
Answer
In the current academic year 2024/2025 there are currently a total of 160 student registrations on Sign Language Courses in the Language Centre at Queen's University.
The teaching hours for each course are:
Level 1 Award in British Sign Language
BSL 101 - 20 hours of in-person teaching
BSL 102 - 22 hours of in-person teaching
BSL 103 - 22 hours of in-person teaching
Level 2 Certificate in British Sign LanguageBSL 201 - 30 hours of in-person teaching
BSL 202 - 35 hours of in-person teaching
BSL 203 - 35 hours of in-person teaching
Currently, all sign language courses in The Language Centre are linked to the examining body 'Signature's' course outline, with Signature accrediting the exams at the end of each level of the course. The curriculum content can be found at:
https://www.signature.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/BSL1-2023.pdf
https://www.signature.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/BSL2-2023-1.pdf
At present Ulster University does not have any sign language courses.