Makaton

These courses teach participants how to use Makaton—a distinctive communication system that blends signs, symbols, and spoken language. They are designed to build communication skills gradually, starting with essential vocabulary and progressing to more advanced language concepts.  Through hands-on practice and expert guidance, participants learn how to integrate Makaton into everyday interactions to support understanding, reduce frustration, and promote more inclusive communication.

The aim is to help participantss:

• Understand how to use Makaton signs and symbols effectively.

• Support individuals who have communication challenges.

• Improve inclusion and understanding in schools, workplaces, and communities.

• Parents and family members of children with communication needs.
• Special educational needs (SEN) teachers and teaching assistants.
• Speech and language therapists.
• Social care workers and support staff.
• Nursery workers and childminders.

Level 1: Foundation Level – Introduction to Makaton

Objectives:

• Understand what Makaton is and who uses it.
• Gain insight into the design and principles of the Makaton Language Programme.
• Learn Core Vocabulary Stages 1 & 2 and Additional Vocabulary from these stages.
• Practice using signs and symbols through practical exercises and games.
• Begin developing skills to use Makaton effectively in daily life.
• Target Audience: Parents, carers, support workers, educators, and anyone beginning to use Makaton.

Level 2: Building on Level 1 – Expanding Vocabulary

Objectives:

• Review and reinforce knowledge from Level 1.
• Learn Core Vocabulary Stages 3 & 4, and Additional Vocabulary from these stages.
• Develop confidence and fluency in signing and using symbols.
• Learn how to use Makaton for functional communication.
• Explore how to adapt Makaton use to individual needs.
• Begin to look at how to use Makaton in different settings (e.g., home, education, care).
  

Level 3: Intermediate Level – Application and Personalisation

Objectives:

• Learn Core Vocabulary Stages 5 & 6, plus Additional Vocabulary.
• Increase fluency and accuracy in signing and using symbols.
• Develop the ability to adapt Makaton to suit individual communication needs.
• Learn how to incorporate Makaton into real-life scenarios and personalised communication strategies.
• Gain a deeper understanding of communication difficulties and how Makaton can help.
• Explore the use of Makaton with pre-verbal children and adults with complex needs.

Level 4: Advanced Level – Complex Vocabulary and Practical Use

Objectives:

• Learn the final Core Vocabulary Stages 7 & 8, plus Additional Vocabulary.
• Refine and consolidate previous learning across all levels.
• Deepen knowledge of how to use Makaton in a range of environments and situations.
• Focus on planning for individual needs and developing communication strategies.
• Explore how to model and support others in Makaton use.
• Build skills for adapting communication for users with differing cognitive and language abilities

£85 per person per day

• Signs and Symbols

• How to use signs Makaton signs.
• Introduction to symbols used alongside signs and speech.
• How to combine signs and symbols with spoken language to aid communication.

• Practical Signing Skills

• You’ll learn and practice signing around core vocabulary (e.g., people, feelings, actions, everyday objects).
• Practice using signs in conversational or daily situations

• Communication Techniques

• How to model signs and symbols correctly for learners.
• Strategies for supporting understanding and expression in individuals with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN)

• Adapting for Individual Needs

• Tailoring Makaton use to different environments (e.g., schools, healthcare, home).
• Supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, or other developmental delays.