Boost your skills: learn BSL online

If you’re looking to learn a language that makes a difference to a community, look no further!

British Sign Language (BSL) cuts out the suffix tables and focuses on getting straight to the point with hand gestures that just make sense. It’s the perfect language for visual learners!

While it’s common to choose languages such as Spanish and Chinese to add to your professional skill set, BSL also opens plenty of opportunities.

Read on to find out why you should learn British Sign Language (BSL), and where to learn British sign language online!

Why should you learn BSL?

First and foremost, BSL is a step towards inclusion

Did you know BSL is the language of over 150,000 people in the UK, with 87,000 speakers being deaf? Being deaf within a hearing world can often be isolating, creating many hurdles when it comes to education, employment, and social life.

Learning BSL means you’ve taken a step towards a more inclusive society. This can have a knock-on effect with your employer and co-workers, creating a more deaf-conscious environment.

More qualifications on your CV, more opportunities

Learning a new language is a great way to show you’re self-motivated and a keen communicator. Speaking a language that’s harder to come by can make you even more desirable!

Graduates looking for roles working within the community will benefit from BSL training greatly. From Special Educational Needs and teaching to the police or hospitality, sign language can help you do your job more effectively and leave a bigger, positive impact on those around you.

Better your understanding of deaf culture

Like any language, it comes with a whole world hidden behind it. Learning to sign, you’ll have the opportunity to communicate with a group of people who may have grown up next door to you but have a completely different worldview.

Understanding the difference between a life with and without hearing can help you to think about things from different perspectives and make decisions with other considerations. This reflective way of thinking is key to becoming a better person but also shows you’re open to new ideas, willing to change, and someone who has the potential to make a difference.

How to learn British Sign Language

It’s super easy to learn sign language online for free! However, if you want to develop a deeper understanding, you can invest in apps, tools, and tutoring.

Here are some of the ways you can start learning BSL!

Watch deaf creator content

Immersion is the best way to learn any language, including BSL. Watching sign language content with subtitles can be a great way to start noticing language patterns, recognising common signs, and understanding the importance of facial expressions.

This is also a way to support deaf content creators for free, learn about their experiences of living without hearing, and understand what life is often like for those within the deaf community.

Here are some amazing creators you can follow to get started!

• Jazzy Whips
• Benny Ngo
• Commanding Hands
• Jessica Kellgren-Fozard

British Sign Language apps

A great way to slowly develop your vocabulary is to use apps. Here are a few to note and some of the perks they offer!

• Sign BSL: this app is like a BSL dictionary. Type in the word you’d like to learn and watch videos showing you exactly how to sign them. Just be aware that signs can be regional, meaning there might be a few different options!
• ITV Signed Stories: available only on Apple devices, you can access children's stories for a small cost per book, all in sign language! Perfect for teaching BSL in schools!
• BSL Zone: a TV channel dedicated to deaf shows! Watch a variety of genres for free from sketch comedy, to informative documentaries about deaf history.
• Lingvano: like apps such as Duolingo, Lingvano is a great way to practise BSL on the go. Develop your vocabulary, translate signed phrases, and follow along with bitesize lessons!

British Sign Language course online

If you’re looking for a BSL course, there are plenty of options. From remote learning to full-time university courses, there are many ways to choose the right one for you.

Here are three courses you can take to learn BSL online!

1. Lead Academy: Whether you’re looking to complete your BSL Certifications with an online course or want to complete deaf awareness training, Lead Academy has you covered. Ideal for students, they allow you to pay for the course in monthly instalments at no extra cost, making the overall course fee much more palatable!
2. British Sign: If you’re on a budget and looking to expand your skill set, British Sign offers affordable online courses. Take part in their “Introducing BSL” course from just £3. Study at home in your own time, working around your degree or grad job!
3. The Sign Life: Based in Birmingham, Sign Life teaches three levels of British Sign Language. The final level aims to help the learner improve their career prospects, or even move into more advanced BSL study opportunities.

BSL and Deaf Studies - University Courses

For those looking for full-time, face-to-face BSL learning opportunities with a higher education qualification at the end, university courses might be better for you.

There are many universities across the country with Deaf Studies and BSL Interpreter Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degrees. However, if you’re looking for the best university for deaf students, the University of Central Lancashire might be the best option. Recognised for their world-leading research into sign linguistics and deaf studies, you know that your course leaders will be dedicated to providing you with the best education possible.