Introduction to British Sign Language

Print this page

Courses Code

QEXCEIBSL

Study method

Part Time

Location(s)

Cannock Lichfield Tamworth

Are you an adult learner?

*Click here to see if you could get this course for free

View courses

Print this page

Is this course for you?

The course is for those who would like to learn the basics of sign language.
Required qualifications

You require no qualifications for this introductory course.
What skills will I develop?

The course will cover topics common to conversations when meeting new people, such as introductions, greeting, family and descriptions.

Appropriate etiquette and the directness of the deaf community. The importance of good eye contact, facial expressions and body language.

Building their confidence, communication skills and to practice and persevere with their receptive skills.
- To be able to successfully introduce self to a deaf signer.
- To utilize their own natural gestures, facial expressions and body language when communicating in sign language (productive Lexicon).
- To state a minimum of three differences between deaf culture and hearing culture and begin to understand deaf etiquette.
- To construct sentences using BSL Grammar on at least three topics.
- To memorise BSL numbers to 100, know number locations and sequencing.
- To identify signs that are useful to the learner and use apps and books to research signs extra to what is being taught.
Careers

The next step would be to progress to a qualification course to further your learning and career.
English and maths
- Speaking and listening for a purpose, including quizzes
- Making clear and relevant notes that can be understood later for references
- To look at wasted words in English that are not used or signed in BSL
- Reading and commenting on handouts
- To understand how language develops and the technical terms of Linguistics and productive lexicon
- To understand the difference between, SSE, BSL and Makaton
- Research useful signs in books and apps
- Numbers and sequencing
- Number location age at the end of the nose, general number location and money location
- BSL sign space and timelines
- Money signs
- Google classroom with appropriate website links for further learning outside of the classroom
- BSL app for looking for new vocabulary and beat the teacher activities
- WhatsApp (if the learners want it and feel it’s appropriate)
- YouTube for extra practice videos, Preston Sign Tight, Sing up, Fletch (local BSL tutor L1, L2, L3 and L6) and Wayne Barrow
- BBC OUCH disability forum to watch how hard lip reading can be – Charlie OUCH
- BSL app for useful words in addition to what is being taught
- Quiz
Other important information

You have to be aged 19 years and above to join this course.

Is this course for you?

The course is for those who would like to learn the basics of sign language.
Required qualifications

You require no qualifications for this introductory course.
What skills will I develop?
The course will cover topics common to conversations when meeting new people, such as introductions, greeting, family and descriptions.

Appropriate etiquette and the directness of the deaf community. The importance of good eye contact, facial expressions and body language.

Building their confidence, communication skills and to practice and persevere with their receptive skills.
- To be able to successfully introduce self to a deaf signer.
- To utilize their own natural gestures, facial expressions and body language when communicating in sign language (productive Lexicon).
- To state a minimum of three differences between deaf culture and hearing culture and begin to understand deaf etiquette.
- To construct sentences using BSL Grammar on at least three topics.
- To memorise BSL numbers to 100, know number locations and sequencing.
- To identify signs that are useful to the learner and use apps and books to research signs extra to what is being taught.
Careers

The next step would be to progress to a qualification course to further your learning and career.
English and maths
- Speaking and listening for a purpose, including quizzes
- Making clear and relevant notes that can be understood later for references
- To look at wasted words in English that are not used or signed in BSL
- Reading and commenting on handouts
- To understand how language develops and the technical terms of Linguistics and productive lexicon
- To understand the difference between, SSE, BSL and Makaton
- Research useful signs in books and apps
- Numbers and sequencing
- Number location age at the end of the nose, general number location and money location
- BSL sign space and timelines
- Money signs
- Google classroom with appropriate website links for further learning outside of the classroom
- BSL app for looking for new vocabulary and beat the teacher activities
- WhatsApp (if the learners want it and feel it’s appropriate)
- YouTube for extra practice videos, Preston Sign Tight, Sing up, Fletch (local BSL tutor L1, L2, L3 and L6) and Wayne Barrow
- BBC OUCH disability forum to watch how hard lip reading can be – Charlie OUCH
- BSL app for useful words in addition to what is being taught
- Quiz
Other important information

You have to be aged 19 years and above to join this course.

Testimonials

"I believe that everyone should learn sign language, young and old, so that we can all communicate with each other better and break down those barriers to communication that can be challenging to deaf and hearing people alike. I really love to see people making friends and growing in confidence as they learn new things"

Tina Hunt

British Sign Language Tutor

Apply for a course

Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Cannock College

Start Date: 24th September 2026

Code: QCEXCEIBSL

Part Time: 10 Weeks

Apply
Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Cannock College

Start Date: 14th January 2027

Code: QCEXCEIBSL-2

Part Time: 10 Weeks

Apply
Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Cannock College

Start Date: 15th April 2027

Code: QCEXCEIBSL-3

Part Time: 10 Weeks

Apply
Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Lichfield College

Start Date: 11th January 2027

Code: QLEXCEIBSL-2

Part Time: 10 Weeks

Apply
Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Lichfield College

Start Date: 12th April 2027

Code: QLEXCEIBSL-3

Part Time: 10 Weeks

Apply
Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Tamworth College

Start Date: 28th September 2026

Code: QTEXCEIBSL-1

Part Time: 10 Weeks

Apply
Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Tamworth College

Start Date: 11th January 2027

Code: QTEXCEIBSL-2

Part Time: 10 Weeks

Apply
Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Tamworth College

Start Date: 12th April 2027

Code: QTEXCEIBSL-3

Part Time: 10 Weeks

Apply

Introduction to British Sign Language

Are you an adult learner?

Is this course for you?

Required qualifications

What skills will I develop?

Careers

English and maths

Other important information

Testimonials

Apply for a course

Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)

Introduction to British Sign Language (TL)