British Sign Language (BSL) is the first or preferred language of approximately 250,000 Deaf people living in the United Kingdom. It is a language of space and movement, using the hands, body, face and head. In addition to the use of BSL by Deaf people, it is also used by about 120,000 people who are not deaf. The language of BSL is more widely used than Welsh or Gaelic, and can be studied in exactly the same way as any other second language.

The Plymouth School of British Sign Language follows the British Deaf Association’s British Sign Language Academy Curricula for teaching all courses.

The Introduction to BSL Course, the Foundation A and B Courses that also incorporatethe BSL Awareness Course and the Intermediate A and B Courses are all recognised by the National Open College Network.

The courses are designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn BSL at all levels, from the basic skills required to communicate with a deaf person to those used by an interpreter.

Introduction to British Sign Language Course

This course consists of 20 hours taught over 10 weeks, with an assessment undertaken on the 11th week. It is taught by a British Deaf Association BSL Academy qualified teacher using BSL. The course will involve a variety of learning methods including tutorials, conversation and role-play with the support of BDA BSL Academy Course DVDs to assist the student in understanding BSL, sign reception and in improving ability to use BSL with sign production.  Class numbers will not exceed 15 students.

The fee for this course is:  £125

The fee includes the course tuition, student’s guide book with DVD, the assessment and certificate upon achieving a pass.

Foundation Level A and B Courses and British Sign Language Awareness Course

A student must have passed the Introduction to BSL Course before applying to take this course. The Foundation Level A and B Courses consist of 40 hours taught over 20 weeks, with an interim assessment after 20 hours (10 weeks) and a final assessment undertaken after 40 hours (21 weeks). The incorporation of the BSL Awareness Course (see below) extends the true length of the combined courses to 26 weeks. The course is taught using the same learning methods as in the Introduction to BSL Course, andoffers the student the opportunity to further develop everyday sign language and the skills learnt on the Introduction to BSL Course. Class numbers will not exceed 15 students.

The fee for this course is:  £330

The fee includes the course tuition, student’s guide book with DVD, the assessment and certificate upon achieving a pass.

British Sign Language Awareness Course

This course, consisting of 10 hours is taught over 4 weeks with an assessment on the 5th week. It will be delivered by a Deaf teacher using BSL assisted by a BSL Interpreter. It is designed to raise awareness of British Sign Language, its history and its place within the Deaf community. The course is incorporated with the Foundation A and B Course so that it will provide the student with a heightened awareness that will also enhance and assist in their practical usage of BSL. There will be a variety of learning methods including group participation. A certificate is awarded upon achieving a pass.

Application