British Sign Language (BSL) for Improvers (Community Course)

The British Sign Language Improvers course is perfect for those with prior knowledge of BSL or students who have previously completed the Introduction to BSL course. It assists students that would like to communicate more effectively and increase their confidence in signing at a basic level with people who are D/deaf or hard of hearing. It may also be beneficial to students who want to work or progress their career where some knowledge of BSL would be useful. 

After completing you will feel more confident to sign at a basic level, ask and respond to simple questions on everyday topics. You will also gain a better understanding of deaf culture.  

To demonstrate productive skills, students will be able to take part in short conversations and give information around familiar social situations. 

To demonstrate receptive skills, students will be able to understand and extract specific details from short conversations in BSL. 

To demonstrate conversational skills, students will be able to participate in a simple dialogue to exchange equal amounts of information in BSL. (Ask and respond to questions). 

The face-to-face classes are fun, engaging and teaching/learning methods include:

• PowerPoint presentations
• Demonstrations of signs and BSL grammar/structure
• Group and partner work
• Games
• Video clips
• Receptive, productive and conversation practice
• Resources to support your learning

Students will need to have some prior basic knowledge of BSL to include:

• Fingerspelling
• Basic greetings and polite conventions
• Numbers
• Question forms
• Days of the week and months of the year
• Family and pets
• Colours
• Interests, hobbies and sport
• Food and drink

These will be recapped/introduced where necessary.

Depending on the preferences of the class, a selection of topics from the following will be introduced:

• Timelines & frequency 
• Describing people – clothing, appearance, character
• The weather and seasons
• Jobs and workplaces
• Social media
• Public Services
• Health and emotions
• Education
• The home and positional language
• Transport and places
• Directions and travel

A South Hampshire College Group certificate will be awarded on request.

Important Notice

A place on your chosen course is not confirmed until enrolment is complete, and any relevant fees are paid. Adult course times, dates, durations and fees may be subject to change, and courses may be cancelled if minimum numbers are not met.