This is our entry level BSL course and is ideal for beginners. It is designed to teach learners simple, everyday British Sign Language (BSL) and how to communicate across a range of topics.

How is the course taught?

The course is divided into three individual units, which are detailed below. To achieve the full qualification learners must successfully complete all three units.

Assessment Criteria Topics	Topics and Content
Conversational BSL Skills Comprehension and Production Skills	People and Personal Information, Issues, Events Descriptions using numbers Using the Calendar Signing Structure Use of simple linking conventions and prepositions Work, school and/or college Expressing attitudes, opinions, likes and dislikes
Receptive Skills in BSL Comprehension Skills	Meeting people Work, school and/or college Using numbers Weather Instructions and Directions Opinions and Ideas Use of simple linking conventions and prepositions Signing Structure
Descriptive Skills in BSL Production Skills	People and Personal Information, Issues, Events Descriptions using numbers Using the Calendar Signing Use of simple linking conventions and prepositions Work, school and/or college Expressing attitudes, opinions, likes and dislikes

Are there any entry requirements for this course?

No. All you need is enthusiasm and a willingness to learn!

How long does the course last?

This course is 30 weeks in total and commences in September.

The total qualification time is 66 hours with a Guided Learning Element of 50 hours.

How much does the course cost?

This course costs £350 in total, which can be paid in monthly installments.

This fee does not include the additional fees for assessments.

Where is this course taught?

We are able to offer this course at locations across the North East including areas in Newcastle, Gateshead and South Shields. Daytime and evening courses are available.

Please get in touch to find your nearest course.

Interested in this course?

If you would like more information about this course please contact us and we will be happy to answer any of your questions.

Enquire about this course »

This is our intermediate level BSL course and is aimed at learners who want to develop their existing BSL skills. Following on from our Level 1 Award in British Sign Language, it is designed to expand learners' BSL vocabulary and allow them to participate in more complex conversations. Non manual features, directional verbs and regional variations will also be introduced within this course.

How is the course taught?

The course is divided into four individual units, which are detailed below. To achieve the full qualification learners must successfully complete all four units.

IBSL2A1 - Receptive Skills in British Sign Language

• Meeting people - areas to be covered in this category include people (including extended family members), friends and colleagues or those that are met regularly at work, school or college, behaviours/actions and feelings towards people.
• Work, school and/or college (details about daily routines, and not-so-daily routines such as going on special courses, future plans)
• Lifestyle choices (experiences, hobbies and interests, events and activities)
• Timeframes (areas to be covered include showing different aspects of an event in time, showing continuation, continuity and frequency, and using time sequences)
• Use of routine linking conventions and prepositions (i.e. use of sign structures linking words and phrases)

IBSL2A2 - Developing BSL Presentation Skills

• Describing day-to-day activities of self and others in personal or social circumstances (functional information about self and others, personal or social activities/tasks carried out on an everyday basis using appropriate terminology)
• Describing day-to-day activities of self and others at work, school or college (functional information about work, school or college, activities/tasks carried out daily at work, school or college using appropriate terminology)
• Lifestyle choices (experiences, hobbies and interests, events and activities)
• Timeframes (areas to be covered include showing different aspects of an event in time, showing continuation, continuity and frequency, and using time sequences)
• Use of routine linking conventions and prepositions (i.e. use of sign structures linking words and phrases)
• Signing Structure and key grammatical features (placement, use of verbs & phrases, non-manual features, sign order and sign forms, handshapes, direction, orientation, question forms, negation & affirmation, characterisation, timelines, conditionality, signing space, fluency, listing and itemising, using vocabulary in correct context, making comparisons, using numbers)

IBSL2A3 - Understand and take part in routine conversations in BSL

• Meeting people (Areas to be covered in this category include the ability to ask and respond to questions about the following sub-topics: people including extended family members, friends and colleagues or those that are met regularly at work, school or college; behaviours/actions and feelings relating to people)
• Work, school and/or college (details about daily routines, and not-so-daily routines such as going on special courses, future plans)
• Personal and social lifestyle choices (experiences, hobbies and interests, events and activities)
• Timeframes (areas to be covered include showing different aspects of an event in time, showing continuation, continuity and frequency, and using time sequences)
• Use of routine linking conventions and prepositions (i.e. use of sign structures linking words and phrases)
• Signing Structure and key grammatical features (placement, use of verbs & phrases, non-manual features, sign order and sign forms, handshapes, direction, orientation, question forms, negation & affirmation, characterisation, timelines, conditionality, signing space, fluency, listing and itemising, using vocabulary in correct context, making comparisons, using numbers)

IBSL2A4 - Understand and use routine BSL in everyday contexts.

• Meeting people (Areas to be covered in this category include the ability to ask and respond to questions about the following sub-topics: people including extended family members, friends and colleagues or those that are met regularly at work, school or college; behaviours/actions and feelings relating to people)
• Work, school and/or college (details about daily routines, and not-so-daily routines such as going on special courses, future plans)
• Personal and social lifestyle choices (experiences, hobbies and interests, events and activities)
• Timeframes (areas to be covered include showing different aspects of an event in time, showing continuation, continuity and frequency, and using time sequences)
• Use of routine linking conventions and prepositions (i.e. use of sign structures linking words and phrases)
• Signing Structure and key grammatical features (placement, use of verbs & phrases, non-manual features, sign order and sign forms, handshapes, direction, orientation, question forms, negation & affirmation, characterisation, timelines, conditionality, signing space, fluency, listing and itemising, using vocabulary in correct context, making comparisons, using numbers)

All four units can be achieved separately, but the full Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language can only be given if there is a PASS in each unit.

Are there any entry requirements for this course?

To enroll on this course you must have successfully achieved the Level 1 Award in British Sign Language qualification.

How long does the course last?

This course is 30 weeks in total and commences in September.

The total qualification time is 120 hours with a guided learning element of 70 hours.

How much does the course cost?

This course costs £500 in total, which can be paid in monthly installments.

This fee does not include the additional fees for assessments.

Where is this course taught?

We are able to offer this course at locations across the North East including areas in Newcastle, Gateshead and South Shields. Daytime and evening courses are available.

Please get in touch to find your nearest course.

Interested in this course?

If you would like more information about this course please contact us and we will be happy to answer any of your questions.

Enquire about this course »

This is one of our advanced level BSL courses and is aimed at learners who want a career working within the deaf community. Following on from our Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language, it is designed to develop learners' BSL skills to an advanced level, so that they will be able to understand and use varied BSL in a range of work and social situations.

How is the course taught?

The qualification is divided into four units as follows:

IBSL3AUN - Understand Varied Signed Language in a range of work contexts

Topics and Content

• Meeting people through social interaction - areas to be covered in this category include introductions, greetings, thanks, leave-taking, cultural conventions, feelings/needs/ preferences, humour, regional differences, and opinions.
• Work-related, school and/or college - following enquiries/requests/instructions and recognising their urgency/priority, distinguishing between formal and informal language, recognising key work-related vocabulary, distinguishing opinion from facts.
• Timeframes - recognising different aspects of an event in time, showing continuation, continuity and frequency, using time sequences in the past, present, future or conditional.
Vocabulary, knowledge and understanding (learners are expected to develop a broad range of vocabulary from more than one topic area and understand others on a wide range of issues, sufficient and appropriate for the qualification at Level 3; learners are expected to demonstrate through their evidence samples appropriate knowledge and understanding rules, which are not assessed separately.
• Topic areas - it is not the intention of IBSL to enforced a wide spectrum of topics, but the following areas will be expected to be covered - employment, including job roles, details of normal day-to-day activities, details of company and personnel structures, training and learning; educational activities; home and leisure, including daily routines, holidays, hobbies, types of housing and utilities used; food and drink, including allergies, eating out, dislikes and likes; routine news items such as general elections and general political issues like the Budget, tax or benefit changes, natural disasters, weather. The aim here is to provide sufficient day-to-day, uncomplicated sources of vocabulary through which learners can maintain business and social negotiations/ conversations/discussions.

IBSL3ASN - Sign using varied language in a range of work contexts

Topics and Content

• Meeting people through social interaction - areas to be covered in this category include initiating social contact, making introductions, greetings, thanks, leave-taking, cultural conventions, feelings/needs/preferences, humour, regional differences, expressing opinions or beliefs, responding appropriately to questions, adapting choice and style of language for formal and informal contexts, finding alternative ways to explain if required, checking to see if the other person has understood or is following a conversation, asking for repetition or time to think.
• Work-related, school and/or college - making enquiries/requests/suggestions and giving instructions; using key work-related vocabulary, using numerical terms and numerical data, responding appropriately to questions and comments.
• Maintaining business and social relationships and other communication in a range of contexts - areas to be covered include contributing to discussions and negotiating outcomes in straightforward business situations, ability to modify language appropriate to the context of the relationship, using strategies to maintain accuracy and fluency in familiar work-related and social situations.
• Timeframes - using signs to signify different aspects of an event in time, showing continuation, continuity and frequency, using time sequences in the past, present, future or conditional.
• Vocabulary, knowledge and understanding - learners are expected to develop a broad range of vocabulary from more than one topic area and understand others on a wide range of issues, sufficient and appropriate for the qualification at Level 3; learners are expected to demonstrate through their evidence samples appropriate knowledge and understanding rules, which are not assessed separately.
• Topic areas - it is not the intention of IBSL to enforced a wide spectrum of topics, but the following areas will be expected to be covered - employment, including job roles, details of normal day-to-day activities, details of company and personnel structures, training and learning; educational activities; home and leisure, including daily routines, holidays, hobbies, types of housing and utilities used; food and drink, including allergies, eating out, dislikes and likes; routine news items such as general elections and general political issues like the Budget, tax or benefit changes, natural disasters, weather. The aim here is to provide sufficient day-to-day, uncomplicated sources of vocabulary through which learners can maintain business and social negotiations/ conversations/discussions.

IBSL3ADC - Interact with people from different countries or diverse cultures

Topics and Content

• Meeting people through social interaction - this includes initiating social contact, understanding and using the correct etiquette, understanding and using cultural conventions regarding language, body language, gestures and emphasis, responding to the challenges of communicating with people of another culture, finding ways to minimise misunderstanding and improving communication, understanding that other people may have different attitudes, perceptions, expectations and service ethics.
• Maintaining positive working practices - this includes understanding and balancing other peoples' perceptions and expectations with the need to achieve stated objectives and service ethics, using strategies to communicate with people from another culture with different perceptions and expectations, using strategies to provide a flexible and positive response to people from another culture.
• Production Skills (Mandatory) - learners should demonstrate that through using their communication skills in everyday situations they are able to use correct etiquette, politeness and cultural conventions in communicating with people from a different culture, with different perceptions, expectations and attitudes.

All three units can be achieved separately, but the full Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language can only be given if there is a PASS in each unit.

Are there any entry requirements for this course?

To enroll on this course you must have successfully achieved the Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language qualification.

How long does the course last?

The total qualification time is 120 hours with a guided learning element of 70 hours.

How much does the course cost?

This course costs £800 in total, which can be paid in monthly installments.

Where is this course taught?

This course is available within the Gateshead area.

Interested in this course?

If you would like more information about this course please contact us and we will be happy to answer any of your questions.

Enquire about this course »

The Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language course caters for the learning needs of those who already have competence in British Sign Language at Level 3 and are interested in developing their skills and knowledge. It is designed for those who work with, or want to work with, Deaf people (e.g. social workers, teachers of the Deaf, communicators, voluntary workers, workers within Deaf organisations, schools, etc.), and those who wish to expand their knowledge and skills in British Sign Language. Successful completion of this qualification can be used as evidence of the language skills needed, in order to be able to operate independently and at an advanced level in the target language.

How is the course taught?

The course is divided into three units, which are detailed below. To achieve the full qualification learners must successfully complete all units.

IBSL4AUN - Understand Extended Signed Language in a range of work contexts

Learning outcomes: the Learner will...	Assessment Criteria: the Learner can...
1. Be able to understand extended communication in a range of work-related and social situations.	1.1 Identify from discussions and presentations: a) Specific ideas or opinions b) The general meaning c) The supporting arguments; 1.2 Follow sustained use of timeframes of (past, present, future or could happen in certain circumstances); 1.3 Follow extended enquiries or requests; 1.4 Recognise: a) extended instructions b) their urgency or priority; 1.5 Recognise opinions; 1.6 Recognise a wide range of: a) beliefs, feelings or needs b) preferences.
2. Follow interaction in a range of work-related or social situations.	2.1 Recognise a wide range of: a) Introductions; b) Greetings; c) Thanks; d) Apologies; e) Leave-taking; 2.2 Recognise the right use of signed and non-verbal cultural conventions; 2.3 Recognise the extended use of humour; 2.4 Distinguish between formal and informal language; 2.5 Recognise a wide range of regional forms; 2.6 Adopt a range of networking strategies.
3. Understand extended language.	3.1 Recognise a) a broad range of vocabulary; b) an extended range of technical language; c) a wide range of language explaining numerical data; d) Extended use of register 3.2 Use reference sources to clarify or confirm meaning;
4. Use strategies to convey information informally from this language into your own language.	4.1 Relay information informally from British Sign Language into your language.

IBSL4ASN - Sign using extended Signed Language in a range of work contexts

Learning outcomes: the Learner will...	Assessment Criteria: the Learner can...
1. Use extended communication in a range of work-related and social situations.	1.1 Contribute spontaneously to meetings and discussions; 1.2 Respond appropriately to questions, comments and arguments, developing them further; 1.3 Make prepared presentations by: a) providing facts; b) providing ideas and opinions; c) supporting arguments; 1.4 Make proposals; 1.5 Give extended instructions or advice; 1.6 Make extended requests or enquiries; 1.7 Express a wide range of beliefs, feelings & opinions.
2. Sustain communication in a range of contexts.	2.1 Initiate social contact; 2.2 Use the right signed and non-verbal cultural conventions; 2.3 Adapt register appropriate to the subject matter and context; 2.4 Find alternative ways to express unfamiliar terms; 2.5 Use a range of strategies to keep conversations going smoothly.
3. Use extended BSL accurately and fluently in a wide range of contexts	3.1 Maintain fluency in extended contributions; 3.2 Maintain fluency and accuracy in shorter contributions; 3.3 Use accurate: a) intonation; b) pronunciation/articulation; c) stress; so that your message can be easily understood.
4. Use extended BSL	4.1 Sign accurately enough to be understood in a wide range of work-related and social situations; 4.2 Use and adapt a wide range of vocabulary with some complex grammatical structures; 4.3 Use technical language appropriate to the subject matter.
5. Use strategies to convey information informally from your own language into BSL	5.1 Relay information informally from your language into BSL

IBSL4ALN - Exploring Linguistics in British Sign Language

Learning outcomes: the Learner will...	Assessment Criteria: the Learner can...
1. Be able to look at languages differently and understand how languages (whether spoken or signed) are similar to and different from each other.	1.1 Understand how languages (whether spoken or signed) can be similar to and at the same time different from each other; 1.2 Understand different ways of looking at languages at word level and sentence level and how this can apply to both spoken and signed languages.
2. Be able to analyse BSL in terms that further understanding of signed languages in use today.	2.1 To analyse BSL and put into practice key terms for describing language; 2.2 To understand how language descriptions can further understanding of BSL in use today.
3. Be able to show how the study of linguistics may change people's values and beliefs as their own culture evolves or as they are exposed to a different culture.	3.1 To demonstrate that sign languages are real languages that have developed over time.

How long doe the course last?

The total qualification time is 120 hours with a guided learning element of 90 hours

How much does the course cost?

This course costs £1,000 in total, which can be paid in monthly installments.

Interested in this course?

If you would like more information about this course please contact us and we will be happy to answer any of your questions.

Enquire about this course »

This course follows the qualification specification laid down by iBSL, full details of all specifications and assessment procedures can be downloaded from their website.

Qualification aim

This qualification aims to further the learning needs of those who have already acquired competence at Level 4 in British Sign Language (BSL) with Deaf people at an extended level. Learners successfully acquiring Level 6 BSL Studies must be able to demonstrate competence at this level of the UK Occupational Language Standards (CILT, 2010). This means that the learner will be able to understand and use complex BSL in a range of work and social situations.

This qualification has been developed in accordance with the National Language Standards at Level 6 (2010). It is equivalent to those for Modern Foreign Languages at Honours Degree level.

Qualification objectives

By achieving this qualification, learners will be able to:

• Take an active role in complex situations using BSL;
• Maintain fluent and accurate BSL over extended periods within areas of expertise;
• Understand and use a complex range of vocabulary and technical language;
• Understand and use with accuracy most colloquial and idiosyncratic BSL;
• Follow and formulate presentations, proposals and arguments in the support of theories and/or ideas;
• Relay information to/from BSL;
• Demonstrate an understanding of BSL linguistics theory and practice.

These objectives relate to the UK Occupational Languages Standards (2010) at Level 6 as developed by CILT.

Qualification structure

The qualification is divided into three units, each of which can be achieved separately. However, to achieve the full Level 6 Certificate in British Sign Language Studies, learners are required to be awarded a pass for all units, which are as follows:

Unit code	Unit title
IBSL6AUN	Understand complex BSL in a wide range of work situations
IBSL6ASN	Use complex BSL in a wide range of work situations
IBSL6ALN	BSL Linguistics Theory & Practice

Length of Course

The course will consist of around 180 guided learning hours plus additional study and interaction with the Deaf community outside of the classroom.

Unit code	Guided Learning Hours (GLH)	Additional Study Hours	Total Learning Time
IBSL6AUN	60	60	120
IBSL6ASN	60	60	120
IBSL6ALN	60	60	120
Total	180	180	360

Topics and content

The topics and content of any learning on this unit by the learners are expected to be wide-ranging, with vocabulary that is sufficiently technical as to be unpredictable. The topics covered in Level 6 will be wide-ranging covering things like travel, access and barriers for the Deaf community, politics, health and current affairs. The key aspect of this unit is that learners should be able to understand the delivery of BSL at normal speed over extended periods.

Target group

It is recommended that entrants should have achieved the Level 4 Certificate in BSL Studies before undertaking the Level 6 Certificate programme.

The Level 6 Certificate in BSL Studies is suitable for those who:

• wish to acquire and utilise fluent British Sign Language skills over extended periods in a wide range of work and social situations, signing accurately enough to be easily understood;
• need to acquire and utilise BSL skills as part of a programme of professional development, for example, as a Communication Support Worke
• wish to progress from the Level 4 Certificate;
• have an aim to become a BSL/English interpreter in the future.

The qualification is also suitable for Deaf people wishing to acquire a qualification in their own language, as part of a progression route towards Deaf Interpreter status.

Assessment

All the evidence, apart from the 'live' assessment, will be collected into a simple coursework file (or e-file if preferred) and will be available for inspection by an External Examiner at the end of the programme.

Unit code	Assessment methods
IBSL6AUN	6.1 Receptive test via e-assessment (video clip [s]) 6.2 Relay/summarise instructions received via videophone/webcam 6.5 Group debate on current affairs (with appropriate cultural conventions) 6.8 Live scenario to be observed by external examiner
IBSL6ASN	6.3 Presentation in BSL to include Deaf humor/folklore 6.4 Recount a true story to the tutor (5-8 mins) 6.5 Group debate on current affairs (with appropriate cultural conventions) 6.8 Live group debate/discussion (2-4 learners plus tutor as facilitator)
IBSL6ALN	6.6 An essay (2-3000 words / 20-30 min BSL) on linguistic rules and differences when compared to English 6.7 Online multiple-choice assessment to demonstrate a good understanding of linguistics.