British Sign Language Level 1 Certificate

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.

Who can enrol on a British Sign Language Level 1 course?

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.

Are there any pre-qualification requirements?

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.

BSL Level 1 course aims

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:

  • 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 in BSL

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).

BSL Level 1 qualification structure

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 codeRQF unit numberUnit Title
BSL101F/502/4513Introduction to BSL
BSL102J/504/0762Conversational BSL
BSL103F/504/0761Communication in BSL about Everyday Life

Through these units, you’ll cover an array of themes and topics, including:

  • Greetings and introductions (such as finger spelling your name)
  • Weather
  • Transport
  • Directions
  • Hobbies
  • Food and drink
  • Numbers

How will you be assessed?

To evaluate your understanding and ability to communicate using BSL, you’ll undergo three assessments throughout your British Sign Language Level 1 course.

  • BSL101 is internally assessed by the teacher. The assessment involves a basic conversation between you and the teacher.
     
  • BSL102 will be externally assessed by a Signature assessor. For this part of the course, you’ll have a 4-5 minute conversation in BSL on specific themes covered in the second unit.

  • BSL103 is also externally assessed by a Signature assessor and will involve another 4-5 minute conversation, this time focusing on themes and topics covered in the BSL103 unit.

How long does BSL Level 1 take?

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 HoursAdditional Study HoursTotal Qualification TimeCredit Value at Level 1
6426909

 

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:

  • Classroom-based teaching
  • Individual or group tutorials
  • Feedback or observed practice
  • Assessments

Are there any pre-qualification requirements?

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.

Keep up your learning with BSL homework and resources

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.

Level 1 Award in British Sign Language with Signature Learning Hub 

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.

Find your local Signature centre and enrol on a beginner’s BSL course

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.

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