An Introduction to Irish Sign Language (ISL): Accredited QQI/FETAC Level 3 (ISL 1) course 

‘A Different Language is a different vision of life’…Federico Fellini
15 WEEK ‘ACCREDITED’ Course
NEXT COURSE STARTING  -TBD
(Registration closing date  TBD)

Irish Sign Language (ISL) (Teanga Chomharthaíochta na hÉireann) is the the indigenous language of Irish Deaf people and of the Deaf community of Ireland, used primarily in the Republic of Ireland. It is also used in Northern Ireland, though British Sign Language (BSL) is also used there. Irish Sign Language is more closely related to French Sign Language (LSF) than to British Sign Language, though it has influence from both languages. It has influenced sign languages in Australia and South Africa, and has little relation to either spoken Irish or English. It was developed by deaf people themselves and has been in existence for hundreds of years, having been passed down by many generations of Deaf people. It is a visual, spatial language with its own distinct grammar. Not only is it a language of the hands, but also of the face and body.

The following is a list of courses available in Irish Sign Language and highlights the progression track from Basic Beginners to Level 4 ISL. (Levels 1 to 3 are language courses to build learners language skills and knowledge of Irish Sign Language). CTA are currently only offering Level 1 ISL. This is the Accredited QQI/FETAC Level 3 (ISL1) course :

• Basic ISL – 8 weeks, beginners
• Basic ISL – 10 weeks, beginners
• Level 1 ISL (Level 3 QQI)  – beginner level course
• Level 2 ISL (Level 4 QQI)
• Level 3 ISL (Level 5 QQI) – weekly, year 1 of 2 year programme
• Level 4 ISL (Level 6 QQI) – bi-weekly, year 2 of 2 year programme

Our Accredited (ISL 1) course is a Beginners/ Breakthrough course where learners will learn basic ISL skills and cultural knowledge preparing learners to go further on to level 4. This course is suited to those who have little or no previous experience in using sign language. This course introduces the learners to ISL and delivers teaching to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The aim is to bring students to level A1 receptive skills and A1 productive skills to engage a basic conversation with Deaf people. This course also introduces some selected parts of Deaf Culture. Click here for a full course outline!

Classes focus on some of the following topics:

• Daily greetings
• Introducing yourself and others
• Social courtesies
• Communicating about yourself, i.e. name, job, nationality
• Communicating about your family
• Food & drink
• social and simple work-related signs
• Directions
• Time
• Numbers
• Deaf culture

Our  Accredited (ISL 1) course is run over 15 weeks (1.5 hours class per week). The CEFR level is Basic User: Level A1 (breakthrough) – A2 (waystage). These courses are classroom based. The course fee is is outlined in the Fee Schedule (up to 12 students max per class).

**All  teachers are qualified Irish Sign Language teachers from the Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College and have extensive teaching experience. Teachers have many years of experience teaching ISL with a student– centred approach, with ongoing teacher training sessions, hence you will benefit from well trained teachers who work from an organised curriculum to ensure structured learning of ISL is at the highest quality standard.

To see a list of available courses in sign language and a progression track click here!

IRISH SIGN LANGUAGE  (ISL 1) for Adults: TIMETABLE 2019

Next Course starts: TBD:

*Timetable subject to change

* These classes are subject to demand. For more information and/or to register your interest please contact us now on info@clonmeltuitionacademy.ie

**All of our Sign Language Courses require a minimum of 10 registrants in order to take place. Whilst we expect to reach this minimum in all courses, in the event that there are not enough participants registered by the Sunday evening before the first day of the course, we reserve the right to cancel the course and process a full refund of fees paid to the student/parent.

***Please be advised that whilst a ‘deposit paid’ secures your place onto a course, it does not guarantee admission to the course. In order to gain admission to any of our courses, fees need to be paid in full (or initial staged payments) prior to the course start date. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with regard to this. We reserve the right to refuse admission to any student who has not paid the course fees (or initial staged payment) in full prior to the start date of the course (ie. the first lesson)