Is this course suitable for learning fluent British Sign Language (BSL)?

No. These courses are not designed to teach fluent BSL. They focus on simple, everyday signs that are relevant to school-aged children and their families, such as signs used in classrooms, playgrounds, and home life.

 

Who are these courses for?

These courses are designed for:

• Children who want to learn basic signs

• Families of deaf or hard-of-hearing children

• Hearing children who want to communicate more inclusively

• Parents, carers, and siblings

• Schools and after-school clubs looking for introductory resources

They are especially useful for young learners who benefit from short, engaging videos rather than formal lessons.

 

Who teaches the courses?

The courses are created by a parent of a deaf child who has studied British Sign Language up to Level 3.
The content is based on practical, real-life use of signs, not formal BSL qualifications.

 

Do these courses follow the official BSL qualification structure (Levels 1–6)?

No. Traditional BSL courses often focus on adult topics (such as travel, employment, or directions), which are not always relevant to children.
These courses are intentionally child-focused, covering signs children are more likely to use in daily school and social situations.

 

Are these courses suitable for deaf children?

They can be helpful as additional exposure, particularly for younger deaf children or families beginning their BSL journey.
However, they do not replace Deaf-led education, formal BSL teaching, or specialist language support.

 

Are the courses Deaf-led?

No. These courses are not Deaf-led, and this is an important distinction.
We strongly encourage learners who wish to progress further to learn from Deaf tutors and accredited providers, which are listed in our Further Learning section below.

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Can schools or groups access the courses?

Yes. Schools, clubs, and community groups supporting deaf or hard-of-hearing children are welcome to get in touch to discuss access to the courses on a wider scale.

 

How does this support the Deaf community?

The aim of this resource is to:

• Encourage early exposure to signing

• Support inclusion in schools and families

• Help hearing children communicate with deaf peers

Greater awareness and basic signing can make everyday environments more accessible and welcoming for deaf children.

 

Further Learning & Next Steps

If you or your child have completed these courses and would like to continue learning British Sign Language, we strongly recommend progressing to Deaf-led and accredited learning.

Learning directly from Deaf tutors is the best way to:

• Develop fluent, natural BSL

• Understand Deaf culture and identity

• Learn correct grammar, structure, and facial expression

• Gain recognised qualifications

Below are trusted and established options for further learning in the UK:

 

Signature

Signature is the main awarding body for British Sign Language qualifications in the UK.

• Offers BSL Levels 1–6

• Courses are delivered through approved training centres

• Many courses are taught by Deaf tutors

Website: https://www.signature.org.uk/

 

British Deaf Association (BDA)

The BDA is a Deaf-led organisation promoting BSL and Deaf culture.

• Information about BSL learning

• Advocacy for Deaf-led education

• Resources for families and learners

Website: https://bda.org.uk/

 

Deaf-led Online BSL Courses

If in-person learning isn’t possible, many Deaf tutors now offer:

• Online BSL classes

• Small group lessons

• One-to-one tutoring

When choosing an online course, look for:

• Deaf tutors

• Signature-accredited centres

• Clear qualification pathways

 

A Final Note

This website is intended as a starting point, not an endpoint.

If these courses help spark interest, build confidence, or support inclusion, then they have done their job.
For deeper learning, fluency, and qualifications, learning with Deaf tutors and official providers is essential and strongly encouraged.