Program Overview

Introduction to British Sign Language Course

The Introduction to British Sign Language (BSL) course is designed for beginners and offers a comprehensive overview of BSL. It includes 10 lessons covering essential topics such as fingerspelling, numbers, colours, and basic conversational skills. The course emphasizes Deaf awareness and cultural understanding, making it suitable for anyone interested in learning BSL, whether for personal or professional reasons.

Course Structure

The course operates in a structured, user-friendly format, consisting of 10 self-paced lessons that cover essential vocabulary and concepts. Each lesson includes video demonstrations, interactive exercises, and quizzes to reinforce learning. Learners can access the course materials on various devices, allowing for flexibility in study times. Progress is monitored through assessments at the end of each lesson, enabling participants to gauge their understanding.

Course Duration and Certification

The course is designed to be completed over a recommended timeframe of 16-20 hours, with up to two years to complete all 10 lessons. Upon successful completion of the course, learners receive a certificate, validating their skills in BSL. This certificate is certified by CDP, although it is not a Level 1 qualification and is not accredited by an awarding body.

Suitability and Eligibility

The course is suitable for individuals with no prior knowledge of BSL, as well as those who have basic training, such as learning the fingerspelling alphabet. However, it may not be suitable for regular users of BSL who are already fluent and conversational. The course is open to anyone, regardless of location, as long as they have an internet connection.

British Sign Language and Deaf Culture

British Sign Language (BSL) is a visual language used primarily by the d/Deaf community in the UK. It consists of hand shapes, facial expressions, and body movements, forming a unique grammar and syntax distinct from spoken English. The term "d/Deaf" is used to reflect the diverse identities within the Deaf community, acknowledging both those who identify culturally as part of the Deaf community and those who have hearing loss but do not identify with Deaf culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this course suitable for me if I have never used BSL before?
  • Yes, the course is designed for beginners.
• Can I include this course in my Professional Development Review (PDR)?
  • Yes, speak with your line manager about how this might fit into your PDR.
• Is there a cost to this course?
  • The University has covered the cost of a limited number of licenses for this course.
• Are there any BSL learner groups at Lancaster University?
  • Yes, the Disabled Employees Network (DEN+) is looking into building up a BSL Learners group.
• Does this course qualify me to become a BSL interpreter?
  • No, British Sign Language interpreters in the UK must hold much higher level qualifications and be fully conversational in BSL.