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Becoming a BSL teacher

Looking to start the rewarding journey of becoming a BSL teacher? Choosing to teach our sign language courses comes with an array of benefits, from building meaningful relationships with individuals within the deaf community, to strong career progression, improved job prospects, and changing lives through inclusive communication.

Requirements for becoming a teacher in BSL

If you’d like to become a BSL teacher with Signature, there are a few requirements that you’ll need to consider for BSL teaching, including:

  • BSL qualifications – to teach BSL, you’ll need to have a high level of fluency in it, as it’s recommended that you have the appropriate sign language qualifications and/or professional experience in the subject you would like to teach. To help you achieve this, we offer a wide range of BSL courses, from our BSL Level 1 course, through to our BSL Level 6 course. 

  • Recognised teaching qualification – to become a BSL teacher, it’s also recommended that you hold a recognised teaching qualification. For more information, head to the Get Into Teaching section on the Department of Education website.

  • DBS approved – if you’re working with children or vulnerable people in the UK, you will need an Enhanced DBS Check, which is standard for those working in schools, colleges and education centres. 

To learn more about the application process and how to get started, see the DBS application guidance on the GOV.UK website.

Outside of qualification requirements, you’ll need to have the following skills and knowledge to become a teacher in BSL:

  • The ability to work well with others.
  • Sensitivity and understanding, as many students may be D/deaf individuals or family members/loved ones of D/deaf individuals. 
  • An awareness of deaf culture and deaf history.
  • The ability to plan lessons efficiently.
  • To command the attention of a classroom, be it in person or online.

Our teacher training courses

At Signature, we offer a range of teacher training courses designed to help aspiring teachers build confidence in the classroom, while enabling experienced teachers to strengthen their BSL teaching skills. These courses cover key topics such as understanding BSL grammar, as well as key teaching skills. For more information, take a look at our BSL teacher training courses available for purchase.

Our courses are available online, offering pupils the flexibility of learning from the comfort of their own home. Many of the courses we offer are also CPD (Continuing Professional Development) accredited, contributing to your teaching credentials and overall career progression. 

Ready to enrol on one of our BSL teacher training courses? Get in touch with the Signature team, and we’ll help you get started.

What our teachers say

Jeanette teaches BSL Levels 1 and 2 and was a finalist for the Emerging Teacher Award at the Signature Annual Awards in January 2017.

“As the leader in providing BSL qualifications, Signature was the most natural choice for me. I had studied and passed Signature courses myself. The reason for me wanting to teach was to reach as many people as possible with deaf awareness and sign language skills in the hope that eventually our towns and hospitals will be a more understanding and inclusive place. My students learn BSL in order to do just that, and Signature courses are the most interesting and rewarding way for me to facilitate this.

It is a huge benefit to have the Customer Support team whenever I need them. I have great confidence in them and appreciate their help and advice. It was because of the advice from my Customer Support Officer that I decided to teach BSL Level 2.

My favourite thing about teaching Signature courses is seeing my students build their sign knowledge and become proficient, confident communicators.

Ayesha Gavin won the Enriching the Student Experience Award at the Signature Annual Awards in January 2017.

“I started to teach Signature qualifications when I became a registered centre in 2010. Today, I teach BSL Levels 1, 2, 3 and 6. My favourite thing about teaching Signature qualifications is seeing my students pass and receive their certificates.”

Emma Caswell is a BSL Centre Manager and BSL Teacher at Heathlands School. She teaches BSL Levels 1-6 and Level 1 Deaf Awareness and Communication. Her specialty is linguistics and regional variations:

“I qualified as BSL/English interpreter but after difficulties with my hearing I couldn’t continue. I began working as a residential support worker at my local school for Deaf children and then supporting communicators and pupils. After that I went into teaching BSL and gained my PGCE.

My favourite thing about delivering Signature qualifications is that they are straight forward; follow the qualification specification and you can’t go wrong. Adding to the learning environment through discussions, debates and research allows the learner to develop a range of vocabulary and knowledge, this in turn allows for a greater development in both receptive and productive skills.”

Become a BSL teacher with Signature today

Are you a newly qualified teacher looking to advance your skills? Upskilling and teaching BSL is a great way to boost your employability and teach a language that is constantly evolving, and most importantly, making a difference to thousands of lives.

If you’re ready to become a teacher with Signature, contact us to get started.

Enquiries

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