Hi,
This situation has recently occurred at Sheffield Hallam with two students both of whom I have argued dispensation for on the
IELTS. However, it was for the speaking and listening parts as in the case of these individuals their written English was not a
cause for concern.

I do find this a tricky situation to resolve since the evidence is clear that deaf students do struggle with written language due
to the phonemic links which they can't access. From this perspective dispensation is appropriate. However, it is also important
that they have BSL skills at a level that will enable them to follow an interpreter using degree level language - how is this
tested when all previous qualifications will have been gained using a different Sign Language? I do not know of an universally
recognised BSL exam which can be utilised for this purpose although I believe Wolverhampton have used their own assessments for
some time.

Whilst there are major practical difficulties in enabling students to produce assignments in BSL it is nevertheless possible and
should be an option for consideration - it does happen elsewhere. It is also appropriate, should the work be produced in written
English, for the student not to lose marks for poor grammar and spelling and to have tutorials to modify their work to enable
straightforward marking for the tutors.

In brief, there is no clear answer to this - the student will be unfairly treated if tested by IELTS but will gain significant
advantage (which in the long term may simply prove to be a waste of everyone's time if she is not capable of undertaking the
course, and perhaps more significantly the student's money!) if not. I guess a different test should be developed for this purpose
which assesses BSL skills alongside an English test which measures English in different ways. Simple!

I'm sorry, Pauline, if this doesn't move you any closer to a solution but sometimes we just have to recognise that there are still
many areas for improvement. I will discuss with colleagues from CHESS and by all means give me a ring if you want to chat
further....

Paddy 

Disability Support Manager
Sheffield Hallam University 
0114 225 4981

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pauline
McInnes
Sent: 24 July 2005 15:17
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Deaf students and IELTS exams


Dear All,

We've just had a query from a profoundly Deaf student who is not a native English or BSL user.  She originally comes from Spain so
I am guessing that her first language is either Spanish or Spanish sign language.  

Anyway, all people who have English as their second language and wish to our joint honours in Psychology and Sociology must take
an IELTS (I think I've spelt that right) and gain a score of 5.5.  

Our Deaf student says this is discrimination because her written language is going to be much poorer than her BSL skills.
However, the fact remains that she will still need to write in English as part of her course and I very much doubt that it would
be acceptable to replace all her written assessments with assessments in sign language.  

Should this student have to sit the IELTS test like all other students or is this discrimination?  

Any help on this one would be greatfully received. 

Kind regards
Pauline


Pauline McInnes
Disability Co-ordinator
Disability Team
Student Services
St Mary's Road
Ealing
London
W5 5RF
Tel:  0208 231 2058