The Stages in Learning Sign Language

So....once you've learnt the British Sign Language alphabet what's next??

How far are you able to extend this and is it easy to do?

Well this depends on your level of dedication! British Sign Langauge is a language in its own right and needs to be learnt as such...meaning that you will be discovering the various components and structures of BSL

British Sign Language qualifications are all monitored and governed by The Council for Advancement of Communication with Deaf People(CACDP)

CACDP offers a portfolio of units and qualifications in sign language and other methods of communication with deaf and deafblind people. All of their units and qualifications are nationally recognised - they are accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority QCA), and appear on the National Qualifications Framework.

Within British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language there are 4 Levels as follows:

level 1 Certificate in BSL/ISL


level 2 Certificate in BSL/ISL


level 3 Certificate in BSL/ISL


level 3 NVQ in BSL/ISL


level 4 NVQ in BSL/ISL


Obviously to study all of these levels it will take time and as you go further and further through your studies it is well worth it. When you get to levels 3 and 4 there are more requirements for you to gather filmed evidence to validate and demonstrate your skills in using and receiving BSL/ISL.

Some people find it useful to undertake taster/basic courses in sign language initially which can often be studied at home such as this British Sign Language online course

British Sign Language Alphabet

Hi......Let's start to delve into some of the components of British Sign Language.

Fingerspelling is used a lot in sign language and is mostly used to fingerspell names of people or places.

Obviously the British Sign Language Alphabet is only a small part of learning sign language but its a start.

The speed and clarity of fingerspelling also varies between different signing communities. Generally speaking you tend to find that older Deaf people use more fingerspelling than younger Deaf people which is often connected to their educational upbringing.

Often when people are Learning Sign Language they start off with the alphabet and then develop from there to learn more phrases and words in basic sign language.

let's begin and take a look at the alphabet now and you will be able to sign your name in just 60 seconds!

What is British Sign Language?

First of all I wanted to introduce myself and welcome you to this Learn Sign Language Blog......

My name is Sonia Hollis and I work primarily as a sign language interpreter plus other things!

I have been interpreting for over 10 years and over that time have also taught sign language in local colleges....which I found extremely rewarding

It's a very exciting time at the moment because the demand to learn sign language is extremely high which is why I set up the site http://www.learnsignlanguage.co.uk and there is a wealth of knowledge and information out there!

But first of all let's take a look at 'What is British Sign Language?'

British Sign Language or BSL for short is the name of the sign language which is used in England and the United Kingdom. It is the first language of approximately 150,000 deaf people in the British Isles.There are also many thousands of people who are not deaf who use BSL such as employers of Deaf people, relatives/friends and interpreters.

British Sign Language is a visual-gestural language which has its own grammar utilising facial expressions (non manual features), hand shapes and upper body movements to convey meaning. BSL is a spatial and visual language and a lot of beginners think it is similar to mime (which it is not). The important thing to remember is that the grammar used in BSL is completely different to that used in everyday English.

British Sign Language has many features just like any other language.

It uses fingerspelling, placement, non manual features, various handshapes and it has its own signing structure.