Communicative Competence Development International Sign 3200-M1-4KKKIS
The course comprises 30 teaching hours delivered over the semester and provides an introduction to the specifics of communication in International Sign (IS) – a visual-spatial communication system used by deaf people in international contexts, in situations requiring communication across national sign language boundaries.
The aim of the course is to equip students with basic competences enabling them to understand and produce utterances in International Sign, taking into account its structural, cultural, and functional characteristics.
During the course, participants will be introduced to the origin and nature of IS, its relationship with national sign languages, as well as the principles governing spatial organization, the use of facial expressions, and body modulation in the communication process. The fundamental rules of constructing utterances in IS will be discussed, such as iconicity, economy of expression, linearity and simultaneity of visual elements, and the principles of sign formation and their placement in space.
The practical component of the course will focus on developing the ability to reproduce shapes and simple gestures, and on strengthening the visual-motor coordination necessary for precise use of IS. Students will gradually acquire a basic vocabulary including general communication, self-introduction, talking about themselves and their surroundings, as well as vocabulary related to describing activities, simple events, and basic temporal categories, including signs referring to past and future time.
As the course progresses, participants will improve their ability to produce both short monologues and simple dialogues, develop discussion skills, and practice responding to different types of messages. The programme also includes work with audiovisual materials – analysis of simple monologues in IS and exercises in comprehension, allowing students to encounter the natural, authentic use of International Sign.
The course also aims to strengthen general visual-spatial competences, such as the conscious use of facial expression, body, and space; increasing the iconicity and expressiveness of communication; and developing communication strategies characteristic of international contexts. Participants learn to independently formulate utterances, process and reinterpret messages, and respond appropriately to various interactional situations.
Completion of the course prepares students for effective communication in
International Sign with users of different national sign languages, develops their intercultural competences, and increases their ease of functioning within the international Deaf community. After completing the course, participants should be able to conduct simple conversations, describe basic events and experiences, and understand uncomplicated IS utterances in various everyday and educational situations.
Student workload – 2 ECTS
30 contact hours (1 ECTS)
30 hours of independent study: homework and preparation for
assessment (1 ECTS)
If it is not possible to conduct classes in person, the course will be
delivered using remote communication tools indicated by the University of
Warsaw.
The course is conducted within the “Integrated Teaching & Learning Development Programme – ZIP 2.0”, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund – the European Funds for Social Development Programme 2021–2027 (FERS) (contract no.: FERS.01.05-IP.08-0365/23-00).
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
Upon completing the course, the student:
Knowledge
- Has structured knowledge about the origin, characteristics, and functions of International Sign (IS) as a communication system used within the international Deaf community (K_W02)
- Knows the basic principles of constructing utterances in IS, including rules of spatial organization, iconicity, and the use of facial expressions and body movement (K_W01)
- Understands the differences between IS and national sign languages and knows the typical communication strategies used in interactions between users of different sign languages (S4_W05)
Skills
- Produces and understands simple utterances in IS, both monologic and dialogic, using the acquired grammar–spatial principles.(K_U05)
- Can participate in basic discussions, ask questions, respond to others’ utterances, and maintain a dialogue in simple communication situations (K_U11)
- Can independently formulate messages and reinterpret encountered utterances, adjusting the level of complexity to the communicative situation (K_U06)
Social competences
- Is prepared for communication within the international Deaf community, with respect for cultural, linguistic, and identity differences (K_K02)
- Demonstrates openness and willingness to engage in interaction in IS, including with individuals using various national sign languages (K_K03)
- Can assess their own progress, identify difficulties, and undertake actions to further develop their IS communication skills (K_K05)
Assessment criteria
Assessment methods
Continuous assessment:
- preparation for classes, completion of in-class tasks, communication between students
- homework assignments
Final assessment:
- preparation of a presentation in sign language
Assessment criteria:
0–49% = fail (2.0)
50–59% = satisfactory (3.0)
60–69% = satisfactory plus (3.5)
70–80% = good (4.0)
81–90% = good plus (4.5)
91–98% = very good (5.0)
99–100% = outstanding (5.0!)
The resit exam is conducted under the same conditions and in the same form as the first attempt.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: