Why Everyone Should Learn BSL
I began my BSL learning journey nearly a year ago. As our children grew older, my husband and I decided to take up a class together—to learn something new and meaningful. We came across an advert for a British Sign Language course run by Marie Biswell, and out of curiosity, we signed up. I didn’t realise that this course would have such an impact on my life.
One of our main motivations for learning BSL was my father-in-law, a retired orthopaedic surgeon. As he has grown older he has become partially deaf and uses a hearing aid. At family gatherings, it is heartbreaking to see him sit quietly, watching conversations unfold around him without being able to follow or participate. Occasionally, people shout snippets at him or oversimplify what they were saying, as though he couldn’t cope with more. We can see how teaching him and the rest of the family to fingerspell and use basic BSL phrases will transform these gatherings. I cannot wait to see him participate, engage, and light up in a way we haven’t seen before.
I also work as a teacher in an Additional Resource Provision (ARP) for children with speech and language difficulties. While these children can hear, many struggle with communication due to Developmental Language disorders or speech production difficulties. This can be a significant barrier to inclusion—something every child deserves in school. As my BSL skills have developed, I’ve started signing key words as I speak. A particularly emotional moment this year was when one of my pupils used a BSL sign to ask me a question and beamed when I understood. Giving these children an alternative way to communicate will help them feel seen, heard, and less vulnerable. I’m excited to see how sharing this language continues to support their confidence and belonging.
But BSL hasn’t just been about helping others—it’s changed me, too.
Learning alongside my husband has brought us closer. We’ve practiced together, made mistakes, laughed, and shared success. It’s helped us grow as a couple. We’ve also learned more about the Deaf community and culture, and we’re eager to stay connected and involved. BSL has its own grammar, structure, and beauty. It’s visual, creative, and interactive. This past year has been a fun, eye-opening, and humbling learning experience.
Unexpectedly, though learning BSL, I have also made some lifelong friends. This does not come naturally to me. However, learning BSL in a group with a supportive teacher created a shared sense of support and encouragement We all started as beginners together, each with our own story as to why our life journey has led us there. We have celebrated each other’s little victories and supported each other when making mistakes. The environment our teacher created enabled me to open up and feel more connected and comfortable than I usually do in social settings. We have laughed and genuinely bonded and I believe these friendships will continue now outside the classroom.
BSL has taught me to really see people. It sharpens your awareness of body language, facial expression and eye contact. All the non-verbal cues we rely on daily without realising. It has taught me to listen and really pay attention. It has made me more observant, patient and more present in a conversation. BSL builds connection and makes the world more inclusive.
BSL brings people closer together. It makes our community stronger. It builds confidence, empathy, stretches minds and builds relationships. Inclusion starts with communication and communication is something we can all share if we have the tools to do this. BSL has the power to change lives! I know as it has changed mine.
Clare Georgy