British Sign Language Beginners Step 1 (Semi-intensive)

In this semi-intensive course, meet for 2 classes per week over 5 weeks (Mondays and Wednesdays).

This course is the first step to complete our beginners level in BSL.

In this course, which is taught in BSL, you will learn to introduce yourself, ask and answer basic questions about family, hobbies and housing.

You will develop receptive and productive signing skills through a variety of learning activities in class and at home. Class based activities include small-group role-plays, responding to short BSL video clips, watching signed dialogues, and engaging in interactive signing exercises. Language learning requires regular practice, and you will consolidate your skills at home, with signing exercises.

Please note, you will need to buy learning materials to support your learning on this course. You will find details of these in the ‘What you’ll learn’ section of the course overview. Please do not purchase any materials until your course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a device with an internet connection. 

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Introduce themselves, ask and answer simple questions about family, hobbies and housing
• Follow signing which is very slow and carefully articulated
• Interact in a simple way with communication dependent on repetition and slow pace
• Show limited control of a few simple grammatical structures and sentence patterns in a basic repertoire

The above list is indicative and may be subject to change.

You will need to buy the following resources:

• Level 1 & Fingerspelling - Beginner level 

This course is for complete beginners. If you have previously learned BSL or have some knowledge and are unsure of your level, please self-assess.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s Accessible and Inclusive Learning Policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support.

This is a complete beginners course for those with no prior knowledge of BSL. 

If you are unsure of your level for this language, please self-assess.

You will need to have reading, listening and communication skills, including the ability to understand detailed ideas and information presented verbally and in writing. You must be comfortable learning in English if it is not your first language. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.

Booking is available until 23:59 the day before the course is due to start, unless the course is full or cancelled.