Take an active role in social situations, setting people at ease and including newcomers

Recognise the importance of intuitive active listening and observation skills, key tools for interpreting social situations.
Develop the ability to sense the general mood or atmosphere of a group or event, using non-verbal cues such as body language and facial expressions.
Familiarise with the various social conventions, traditions and norms within the Deaf community to better understand and respect them in social settings.
Understand how cultural differences and individual personalities can impact how individuals communicate and interact in social situations.

Learn the beneficial role of positive and open body language in promoting approachability and setting people at ease.
Recognise the importance of maintaining eye contact when conversing in British Sign Language to show interests and attentiveness.
Build capacity to employ affirming signs and expressions to show understanding, validation, or agreement which create ease in the interaction.
Develop the skill of empathetic communication which encourages trust and comfort in social situations.

Cultivate an inclusive attitude by explicitly inviting newcomers to join in active conversations or activities.
Understand the importance of introductions and appropriate welcoming gestures, specifically in BSL context.
Excellent command of ‘fingerspelling’ and clear signing will facilitate clarity of communication, especially with newcomers who may be less fluent.
Develop strategies to avoid or manage potential communication barriers faced by newcomers in social situations.
Empathise with the feelings of newcomers who might feel out of place and use compassionate communication to make them feel welcome.

Master the skill of modulating the conversation pace to ensure it remains accessible to all, especially newcomers.
Realise the importance of turn-taking, giving everyone a chance to sign and be signed to, as to encourage participative discussions.
Foster a sense of community culture, valuing diversity and inclusivity, ultimately leading to more harmonious social situations.