bsl

ChesterFirst, United Kingdom

A group of students is celebrating after successfully completing one of
the first courses in the world in theology to be taught and assessed
exclusively in British sign language (BSL).

Through a pioneering partnership between the University of Chester and the
Church of England, the second group of students was presented with the
Church Colleges’ Certificate in Christian Ministry by the university’s
vice-chancellor, professor Tim Wheeler.

The programme is delivered by a partnership between the University, the
Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, and Signs of God, an
organisation which specialises in promoting the use of BSL in Christian
settings.

A one-year programme, the course is delivered through a combination of
residential weekends, online learning and placement experience in a church
environment. The training was provided by specialist tutors from Signs of
God.

Dr Wayne Morris, senior lecturer in Contextual and Practical Theology at
the university, said: “It was great to see this second cohort of students
receiving awards. This innovative course provides deaf people with a
unique opportunity to participate in Higher Education and we are very
proud of our students’ achievements. The programme is now recruiting for
September 2010.”