What's it like to learn online?
Here's what some of our current and past students have said...
Chelsea Fields, RSLI (2024)
I absolutely loved Remote. As a mum of three young children I wasn’t sure I could commit to a course that was face to face.
It really released the stress of trying to find child care weekly because my husband works full time and can’t always get home early to take the kids. I could just do the course from home with the children still here. I would chuck them an iPad each and some snacks and pop my head phones on at my desk and take part in the class. I knew I could attend every session because even when they were poorly I tucked them up on the sofa with a blanket next to me and I sat with my laptop still able to take part in the course.
All sessions were recorded which wouldn’t happen with a face to face lesson. This was a huge bonus. As someone with ADHD I struggle to absorb all of the information at times. When it would come to writing an essay the information would be gone from my brain but I was able to go back on to the recorded session and re watch the bits I needed - which was a God send.
I do struggle with focus and being at a screen for too long but Lynn and Linda were very flexible with us all and gave us plenty of breaks to go grab a snack or a hot drink! Sometimes I would switch my camera off for 5 minutes and just stretch my legs and have a fidget but I was still listening in.
I felt like I had the best of both worlds - I could put my children first and still follow my dreams
I think Remote was a fantastic idea and I would highly recommend it.
Rebecca Hunt, RSLI (2024)
I actually really enjoyed it in the end, I was skeptical at first as I don’t like doing remote jobs. However, it was very well organised and well thought through. The exams worked well and it was very convenient as our cohort were all over the country so it made it easy to work the time slot around jobs. But I did love it when we met up in Reading and am looking forward to our graduation in the near future to celebrate with everyone!!
Emma Sutcliffe, RSLI (2024)
Learning remotely allowed me to access this course and become RSLI. I had family commitments which would have meant attending this course in person, wouldn't have been option.
The tutors are amazing, supportive and so understanding to your personal circumstances.
Our online classes were all recorded and stored on the Google drive for us to access at any time.
I didn't feel like we missed out on anything not being classroom based/in person.
Noel Peers, current student (2024)
I've thoroughly enjoyed it. A challenge but also productive. Always good when splitting off into breakout rooms and discussing
/Practicing the topic of the night. Going through the slides/presentation feel no different than if we were doing them in person x
Mandy Buddle, current student (2024)
I was rather unsure about learning remotely but I have actually found it work really well. Negatives would be missing that 'something special' that you experience when physically with people. But loads of positives too:
Having a recording to check back on things said.
Not having miles to travel.
Cuddles from your cat while listening and discussing!
Just a short trip downstairs after finishing.
All the learning materials are there online and easy to access.
It's actually really good and works well.
Lynn and Linda have worked it all out so well and are so supportive.
Can't recommend Bruce and Delfosse highly enough!!
Helen Hopcroft, RSLI (2024)
Doing a RSLI course remotely was not something I had considered before as I wasn’t keen on remote interpreting however, after a recommendation, I thought I would look into it and I am so glad I did as it was definitely the right decision!
The tutors were fantastic and I felt really relaxed with them. They were so approachable which was the most important factor for me.
As you meet up face to face at the start, I felt that we were able to form a connection as a group and learning remotely did not impact that at all - everyone was very supportive throughout the course.
I liked the consistency of having sessions weekly rather than having long breaks. One bonus of remote learning is that the sessions were recorded which I found really helpful as I could play them back as needed.
I really recommend this course - I don’t think I could have done it with anyone else!
Emily Sara, RSLI (2024)
As a mum it made it easier to manage childcare and learning at the same time, even though occasionally my little ones made an appearance it was much easier than travelling and depending on people to watch them for longer than necessary.
Sometimes tricky as I had a terrible internet connection but I found ways to make it work. If my internet totally failed I knew the lesson would be available to watch back thankfully. I also liked the time it gave me to make notes while listening. It’s a great way to practice remote work eg what setup you need and how to navigate turn taking etc
Katrina McEachran, RSLI (2023)
I found learning remotely great for me personally.
Lynn and Linda provide so much information and Google drive is wonderful as everything we needed was in there.
Tutors are incredibly responsive and you do not miss being in the classroom.
The set up was great full screen learning then break out rooms for smaller group activities.
I was concerned about doing assessments online but they again were fine and very well set up.
Ultimately so much thought and organisation has been put into making remote learning work by BDIT team that your biggest concern is your internet connection/ devices etc.
A WhatsApp message from former student, RSLI... (2024)
It was lovely you end up seeing each other more because it’s weekly and still meet face to face anyway which is also lovely. You get used to seeing 2D sign which is sometimes harder so you are well versed in both. Lynn and you (LInda) gave us time to chat beforehand and you’re all working to the same goal anyway. The initial meet is face to face and very social rather than overwhelming studying and that sets it off just right.
Another message copied from a what’s app message today….(2024)
I’m not on FB, but Lynn and Linda have been nothing but supportive, approachable and knowledgeable through some difficult times recently whether remote or F2F cannot recommend Bruce Delfosse highly enough!
Janet Davies, RSLI (class that changed to online due to Covid 2020/2021)
As Ryan, we were the first group to go from face to face to remote. It was difficult at first having technology issues but the group was great, we helped each other. Learnt coping strategies and loved the experience. Miss you guys xxx
Ryan McLean, RSLI (class that changed to online due to Covid 2020/2021)
Hard work! However, very rewarding and helps advance your skill.
What our past learners have said about our programmes.
"Thanks to Lynn and Linda at Bruce Delfosse Interpreter Training for their Sign Language Interpreter course, succeeding in keeping to the delivery of their really well planned Scheme of Work, despite the enforced move to remote delivery instead of face-to-face.
Also thanks to all the local Deaf people who continue to patiently help with practice and feedback.
Each student in the group will have had their individual journey and starting point but for me, gaining confidence in both BSL and (especially) using my voice would not have happened without L&L's support and encouragement.
Still quite can't believe this achievement, and realise I still have so, so much more to learn about interpreting, so won't be jumping in any deep ends any time soon!" Liz Mincer, RSLI 2021
"THANK YOU...!!!! I joined this course, deflated, demoralised and just tired - I had been on this journey a long time and was beginning to think it was never going to happen for me.
I travelled to Liverpool for my interview for the Bespoke 1 yr course and left with a refreshing feeling of hope. From the beginning, these ladies made it clear, it's going to require hard work, focus and self belief but with these ingredients, I'll get there.
Together we identified my strengths and worked on my weaknesses - my peers (now friends) were so supportive and fun. Covid brought many challenges for us, but Lynn and Linda rose to those challenges and adapted remarkably - we learned new and invaluable skills to meet the demands of a changing world of interpreting.
I am a Christian and believe that God led me to this course knowing the internal struggles I had. These ladies were not just tutors but role models for me. They are candid but constructive in their feedback and find ways out of our problems - I love that!
You were right Linda & Lynn - THANK YOU!!!" Diane Jarrett, RSLI 2021.
"Lynn and Linda have been so supportive, the feedback that I received from them has enabled me to develop my skills and improve my professional practice, it’s been invaluable. They are extremely knowledgeable, well organised and highly professional. I recommend them both as skilled and experienced trainers and assessors. Their attention to detail and expertise ensures their students receive a top quality service." Rachel Smith, RSLI 2019.
“Lynn & Linda made every part of achieving my Interpreting Diploma easy. Nothing was too much trouble, they were quick to respond to any queries or provide a sometimes much needed confidence boost! The course is tailor-made to make obtaining the qualification simple & straight forward. Having previously completed NVQ’s for Levels 1-6 in BSL, this course was like a breath of fresh air.” Dave Shields, RSLI 2018.
"I felt as though the support started prior to the course after a delayed interview due to my husband’s ill health. With low confidence I turned up, keen to do well. Without the fabulous encouragement from the tutors and fellow students I simply would never have qualified. Knowing where skills need to be refined is one thing but being told HOW to and with empathy, really made a difference. Experienced interpreters themselves, Lynn and Linda are a formidable team. Both fair and detailed in their feedback, I could soon see where I needed to polish up when interpreting. I would highly recommend these amazing trainers". From Lesley RSLI, 2018.
"Amazing support and encouragement. An intense course, but carefully guided throughout, so much better for me to focus and complete it rather than drag it out..." Jan Smith, RSLI 2018.
"I was part of the very first cohort, and we completed the 1 year bespoke programme. There was blood (not really), sweat and tears, but we made it through. From the information and selection day, strengths and areas of improvement are identified, & the student and assessor together start to think of practical ways to build and improve the skills. As a student you are supported throughout- it's in everyone's interest if you do well. My cohort (the first and best) was really supportive of each other - everyone shared resources, ideas, worked together to achieve our goals and were generally awesome.
During the first weekend, we were given the schedule and it looked so daunting! But Lynn told us, yes it would be a lot of hard work, but if we did what we were asked to do, when we were asked, we'd do it. And we did!
If the NVQ route is not really your thing, and you're intimidated by the other postgraduate programmes out there, I would highly recommend the iBSL route with BDIT. It's a nice mix of theory and practical assessments, and the number of pieces of evidence you need to collect yourselves is very achievable. So if you're considering it, I say go for it! You won't regret it." Omotayo (Tayo) Igbintade, RSLI 2017.
“I really enjoyed being on the IBSL course delivered by Lynn and Linda. It was brilliant, they were warm, welcoming and supportive, both having an in-depth knowledge of the interpreting field, which built my confidence. I felt included within the group and relaxed, making the heavy assignment load manageable.
I recommend the IBSL course because it is well structured, having excellent course materials that enabled me to reinforce concepts I learnt that needed developing, and additionally pointing me in the correct direction to gain any missing theory required to achieve assignments. My progress was constantly evaluated and I was given feedback to get me back on track when required to make sure unit specifications were covered.
The course is good value for money, having developed me as a person and interpreter. It was a bonus to be able to see completed assignments and units being signed off throughout the course, which was a great boost.”
Robin Northman, RSLI 2017.
"I decided to do the one year iBSL Interpreting course in Neston instead of going down the NVQ route after finishing my ITP as I preferred the more guided, structured course with lots of evidence collection built in. I can now look back and see it was the best decision I could have made. Linda and Lynn were amazing tutors and assessors making what we needed to do clear and helping us to achieve RSLI status with our completed portfolios. They were always on hand for support and advice as were the rest of our cohort. Overall the course was a supportive, positive environment which has given me training that has been invaluable in practice and helped me build my confidence in my own skills. I can’t express enough how glad I am that Linda told me about her new course and that I applied for it. I would recommend the course to anyone wanting to become RSLI." Emma Bates, RSLI 2017.