If you’re looking to start your BSL journey, our British Sign Language Level 1 Award is the perfect course. This beginner’s award offers an introduction to how British Sign Language is structured and supports you in learning to communicate with the Deaf community in BSL.
Over 90 hours of guided and individual learning, you’ll develop an understanding of this visually rich language, including its grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills.
Read on for more details on what a BSL Level 1 Course covers, and find your nearest approved Signature centre to book your place.
The BSL Level 1 qualification is ideal for anyone who wants to learn basic language skills to communicate with Deaf People, whether they plan to progress to a more advanced BSL level or not.
You might choose to learn BSL for personal development or to communicate with Deaf family members, friends, or colleagues. The qualification is open to all ages.
BSL has its own grammatical structure and syntax that isn’t dependent on or related to English, and the Level 1 Award in British Sign Language is suitable for complete beginners. So you’re welcome to join without any previous BSL experience.
It’s worth noting, however, that BSL is a very visual language. It requires facial expressions, hand movements, and gestures to communicate effectively. With this in mind, BSL competence standards stipulate that learners need to have sufficient sight, manual dexterity, and facial and body movements to produce and receive BSL.
It is the centre’s responsibility to explain these requirements before accepting a learner for this qualification.
After completing your British Sign Language Level 1 Award, you’ll be able to use BSL to communicate with Deaf individuals. You’ll be able to cover a range of themes that involve simple, everyday language use.
Whether you want to support and communicate with a Deaf loved one, offer inclusive communication to those with hearing loss in the workplace, or simply learn a new skill to broaden your horizons, this course equips you with the tools to engage confidently in basic BSL conversations.
You’ll gain basic skills and confidence to both produce and receive BSL communication — from discussing common topics and asking and answering questions to using appropriate facial expressions and gestures to enhance your communication.
At the end of this BSL beginners course, you’ll be able to:
You can find more details on the course aims in our BSL Level 1 Qualification Specification document, which has been designed using the UK Occupational Language Standards (Instructus 2013).
This course is divided into three units. You can achieve each one separately — however, we recommend covering BSL101 first, as units BSL102 and BSL103 build on this knowledge.
Once you’ve covered the first unit, you can take units BSL102 and BSL103 in any order.
Signature unit code | RQF unit number | Unit Title |
---|---|---|
BSL101 | F/502/4513 | Introduction to BSL |
BSL102 | J/504/0762 | Conversational BSL |
BSL103 | F/504/0761 | Communication in BSL about Everyday Life |
Through these units, you’ll cover an array of themes and topics, including:
To evaluate your understanding and ability to communicate using BSL, you’ll undergo three assessments throughout your British Sign Language Level 1 course.
The total qualification time for BSL Level 1 is 90 hours, which includes both individual study time and guided learning hours. Here’s a breakdown of the hours and credit value:
Guided Learning Hours | Additional Study Hours | Total Qualification Time | Credit Value at Level 1 |
---|---|---|---|
64 | 26 | 90 | 9 |
Guided learning hours are the time you’ll have timetabled for face-to-face contact with your teacher (this may include video communication via Zoom or Teams). Your guided learning hours will include:
Level 1 Award in British Sign Language can be taken without any previous BSL experience at any level.
BSL competence standards include requirements for learners to have sufficient sight, manual dexterity, facial and body movements to produce and receive BSL.
It is the responsibility of the centre to explain these requirements before accepting a learner for this qualification.
To support you on your BSL journey, we have some helpful homework packages and resources available.
BSLHomework is a comprehensive online library of video clips and support materials to help you understand the assessments you’ll be undertaking, develop your vocabulary and linguistics skills, and practice your receptive BSL skills from wherever you are.
With packages starting from just £36.00, it’s perfect for anyone studying towards a Signature British Sign Language Level 1 award.
We also have homework DVDs available on the Signature online shop. These can help you practice the elements you’ve learned in your BSL lessons and prepare for your upcoming assessments.
We offer accredited BSL courses across the UK — try our handy tool to find your nearest Signature-approved centre. You can also learn more about our other British Sign Language qualifications.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.