A PRESENTATION was held in Lochgelly to celebrate the achievements of adult learners and senior pupils who passed British Sign Language Level 1.

It will enable them to communicate more easily with people with little or no hearing and they gathered in the community-use wing of the high school to receive their certificates.

BSL Level 1 has been delivered by Maria Gilmour at Lochgelly for the last 15 years.

The course generally runs one evening a week from September to June – 64 learning hours – so learners have to be committed.

Maria said: “I’m very proud to be the tutor that delivers this course.

"It is very rewarding to see the students’ progress from little or no knowledge of sign language when they start, then work their way through the course sharing new experiences, making new friends and for many enhancing their new communication skills at work and with family.”

Maria was also invited to teach senior pupils from Queen Anne High School in Dunfermline this year, as part of their wider achievement courses, and this proved a popular choice.

For more information about BSL courses and taster sessions please contact Lochgelly Community Use on 01592 583493 or email Lochgellycu@fife.gov.uk.