About
Learn British Sign Language (BSL)
This unit aims to give you a basic knowledge of signs so that you can use BSL to communicate in everyday situations.
Language Experience for All Programmes (LEAP) courses provide students and staff with the opportunity to learn British Sign Language. We offer British Sign Language Part 1, for learners who have no previous knowledge of British Sign Language and British Sign Language Part 2 which allows students to develop their ability to communicate with Deaf people in a range of familiar and work-related contexts.
These courses can be taken in either semester, but if you are planning to take Part 2 and haven't already studied Part 1 then you need to consider joining Part 1 in semester one, or alternatively in semester two and then complete Part 2 the year after but the latter option will require enrolment in the next academic year.

Unit details
What should I know about this unit?
LEAP British Sign Language
Course Unit Code
ULBS50001/ULBS50002 (Part 1)
ULBS51001/ULBS51002 (Part 2)
- 10 Credits
- University Language Centre, School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
- Available to study in both semesters.
- To develop your knowledge and understanding of, and skills in, being a professional within an educational setting
- To give you transferable skills in professionalism, interpersonal communication and collaboration, problem-solving, leadership and management, analysis, critical thinking, and self-evaluation.
On successful completion of the unit you will be able to:
- Understand and converse in short, simple sentence communication in BSL
- Communicate using BSL in simple, routine situations
- Demonstrate an ability to use a basic BSL vocabulary and grammar
- Be aware of current issues related to the deaf community
By the end of the course unit, you should be able to communicate at a level equivalent to Level A1.1 of the Common European Framework.
Topics covered over the 11-week course include:
- Deaf awareness
- Culture and history
- Fingerspelling
- Communication signs
- Greetings and family
- Numbers & colours
- Asking for direction.
Seminars, two hours per week. 22 contact hours, including assessment.
This course unit is only offered (face-to-face) on campus
Feedback will include a combination of informal ongoing feedback resulting from class-based learning activities and formal written feedback given following summative assessments.
Assessment- BSL 1- By the end of the course, students should be able to communicate at a level equivalent to Level A1.1 of the Common European Framework.
- 1 Signed Productive Assessment; 30% weighting; held in Week 6
- 2 Written Productive Assessments; 30% weighting; held in Weeks 8 and 9
- 1 Conversation / Dialogue assessment; 40% weighting; held in Week 12
Assessment- BSL 2- By the end of the course, students should be able to communicate at a level equivalent to Level A1 of the Common European Framework.
-
- 1 Signed Productive Assessment; 30% weighting; held in Week 6
- 1 Written Respective Assessment; 30% weighting; held in Week 9
- 1 Conversation / Dialogue assessment; 40% weighting; held in Week 12
Wayne McConnell
How to enrol
British Sign Language - Part 1 (BSL 1) is for those who have no previous knowledge of British Sign Language.
To take British Sign Language 2 students must complete part 1 (BSL 1) successfully achieving a 40% pass mark or higher. Students who wish to take both parts in the same academic year, will apply to BSL2 when course unit selection for semester two courses open and upon their successful completion of BSL1.
In order to apply, please visit the Language Experience for All Programmes (LEAP) website.
You are strongly recommended to read the Application Information section of their website before you apply to understand the requirements of the course and ensure you are registered successfully as the process differs to other University College course units.