BSL COURSES

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This qualification is designed to teach learners to communicate with Deaf people in British Sign Language (BSL) on a range of topics that involve simple, everyday language use. They will gain basic skills and confidence in production and reception of BSL.

The qualification is divided into three units, each of which can be achieved separately. Learners who are new to BSL should cover 101 first, as units 102 and 103 build on this knowledge. Units 102 and 103 can be taken in any order.

• BSL 101 - Introduction to BSL 

• Meeting people
• Using basic numbers
• Weathers
• Transport
• Basic range of directions

•BSL 102 - Conversational BSL

• Describing people, animals and objects
• Using range of numbers
• Interests and activities
• Food and drink

•BSL 103 - Communicate in BSL about Everyday Life

• Getting around
• Sharing information
• Weather
• Describe the building
• Jobs
• Education

At the end of the qualification, learners will be able to: 

• understand and use a limited range of simple words and sentences in BSL 

• take part in simple, everyday conversations in BSL 

• give and follow simple directions or instructions in BSL 

• give and follow simple familiar statements or descriptions inBSL

• want to learn basic language skills to communicate simple conversations with Deaf people 

• want to learn new language skills as part of a programme of study 

• want to progress to more advanced study and/or employment using BSL in the future 

• are studying for personal development 

• are parents, family, friends or colleagues of Deaf people

On completion of Signature Level 1 Award in British Sign Language, a wide range of further qualifications are available, including: 

• Signature Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language 

• Signature Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language.

• Date:  September 2025 (TBC)
• Time - Daytime and Evening 
• Duration: 30 weeks
• Fee: Please contact us with options for payment.
• Exams: 1 exam in each unit (3 exams) (Non Exam Option Available)
• Please note: This course will only run if there are sufficient candidates. 

This qualification is designed to enable learners to develop their skills to communicate with Deaf people using British Sign Language (BSL) in a range of everyday situations. The qualification will allow learners to participate in longer and more varied conversations than at Level 1. The course will develop communication in BSL about real life, routine, and daily experiences. The learner will be able to deal with most routine communication and have enough understanding of grammar to cope with some non-routine communication. Learners should be taught a number of regional variations in sign language.

The qualification is divided into three units, each of which can be achieved separately.

To achieve the full Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language, candidates are required to achieve all units.

• BSL 201 - Receptive skills - Watching clips and understanding

•BSL 202 - Productive skills - Making stories

Themes can be chosen by you: 

1. Food/Drinks, 
2. Shopping & Spending
3. Travel & Holiday. 

•BSL 203 - Conversation skills - making a conversation with your tutor. 

Themes can be chosen by you: 

1. Food/Drinks, 
2. Shopping & Spending
3. Travel & Holiday.  

Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language is suitable for those who: 

• wish to achieve language skills at an intermediate level to improve communication with Deaf people 

• are Deaf and wish to gain a qualification in their native language 

• are family, friends and colleagues of Deaf people 

• want to progress from Level 1 study in BSL, and who may want to progress to more advanced levels of study in BSL at a later date 

• are studying for personal development

On completion of Signature Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language, a wide range of further qualifications is available, including: 

•Signature Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language 

•Signature Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language 

•Signature Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language and Introduction to Interpreting 

•Signature Level 6 NVQ Certificate in British Sign Language.

• Date:  September 2025 (TBC)
• Time - Daytime and Evening (THC)
• Duration: 40 weeks
• Fee: Please contact us with options for payment.
• Exams: 1 exam in each unit (3 exams) (Non Exam Option Available)
• Please note: This course will only run if there are sufficient candidates. 

The Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language (BSL) meets the learning needs of those who already have competence in BSL at Level 2 and are interested in developing their skills and knowledge. Successful learners must be able to demonstrate competence at Level 3 of the UK Occupational Language Standards (Instructus 2012). This means that the learner will be able to understand and use varied BSL in a range of work and social situations. 

The learner will develop an advanced knowledge of the structure and function of British Sign Language and an understanding of the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture. 

• Formal Presentations

• Informal Conversations

•Receptive skills

Topics such as:

• Home Life
• Social/Recreational Activities
• Education and Training
• Employment
• Consumer Issues and Daily Living
• Deaf History and Culture

Successful completion of this qualification can be used as evidence of the language skills needed in order to be able to operate independently and at an advanced level in the target language. It is useful for those who work on a regular basis with Deaf people (for example social workers, teachers of the Deaf, communicators, voluntary workers, workers within Deaf organisations, schools, etc), those who aspire to work in these contexts, and those who wish to expand their knowledge and skills in British Sign Language.

In order to be entered for a course and assessment leading to this qualification, learners must be able to demonstrate competence in BSL at level 2. It is the responsibility of the centre to ensure that this requirement has been met before accepting a learner for this qualification.  Entry assessment required.

On completion of this qualification, the learner may wish to progress to the following qualifications: 

•Signature Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language

•Signature Level 6 Certificate in British Sign Language 

•Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting and Translation.

• Date:  September 2025(TBC)
• Time - Daytime and Evening (THC)
• Duration: 40 weeks
• Fee: Please contact us with options for payment.
• Exams: 1 exam in each unit (3 exams) (Non-Exam Option Available)
• Please note: This course will only run if there are sufficient candidates.