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Award in British Sign Language (BSL)

Connect beyond words - learn British Sign Language (BSL).

This course is now full. 
You can use our enquiry form to register on our waiting list or request more information.

Your initial payment of £20 will be to secure your place and will not be refundable. 

Once you have completed the first two sessions your tutor will see if you are ready to progress onto week 3. If you are ready, you will be required to make a further payment of £60 for unit 1. This will be followed by a final payment of £167.50 when you are ready to start the last 2 units.

Course description

Accredited by Signature.

The course will equip you with the confidence to use BSL effectively in a variety of contexts. 

This course consists of three units and three assessments: Introduction to BSL, Conversational BSL, and Communicate in BSL about Everyday Life. Throughout the course learning activities will build on this knowledge giving learners the confidence to be able to:

  • Understand and use a limited range of simple words and sentences in BSL
  • Take part in simple, everyday conversations in BSL
  • Give and follow simple directions or instructions in BSL
  • Give and follow simple familiar statements or descriptions in BSL

Achievement is determined by successful completion of all three units and is externally assessed by the Awarding Organisation. Unit 101 is delivered as a single unit. Unit 102 and 103 are delivered jointly.

Your initial payment will be to secure your place on Unit 101 and will not be refundable. Once you have completed the first two sessions and you feel ready to progress onto week 3, you will be required to make your remaining payment for unit 101 (£60).

Please note: Progression onto Unit 102/3 will follow a review and discussion with the course Tutor and/or Curriculum Lead. Once you have confirmed your place on Unit 102/3, you will be required to make a final payment of £167.50.

The BSL level 1 course may support your employability by enhancing your communication skills and making you a more versatile and inclusive potential employee. 

Course level

Level 1 - These qualifications are for learners who want to build on their basic skills or knowledge gained at Entry Level, or those who have gained some experience in the workplace.

Who is this course for?

Residents of Calderdale aged 19+ who:

  • Want to gain a qualification in BSL.
  • Are ready to participate in practical exams.
  • Want to learn basic language skills to communicate simple conversations with Deaf people.
  • Want to learn new language skills as part of a programme of study.
  • Want to progress to more advanced study and/or employment using BSL in the future.
  • Are studying for personal development.
  • Are parents, family, friends or colleagues of Deaf people.

BSL competence standards include requirements for candidates to have sufficient sight, manual dexterity, facial and body movement to produce and receive BSL.

You will be ready to participate in a practical exam to achieve a nationally recognised qualification.

What do I need to bring?

You will use Google Classroom throughout your course to view work from your lessons, receive messages from your tutor, and access online resources. You can access this on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop/computer. Your tutor will support you to log-in during your first lesson, and the Learner Support team is always on hand to help with any issues. 

Assessment process

An initial assessment will be conducted at the start of the course which will help both you and the teacher to understand where to focus so that you will be confidently prepared for the final assessment.

teaching sign language
Qualification-based learning

Course information

Start date: Various
Time: Various
Day: Various
Venue: Various

Course length: 36 weeks
Course code: Various
Course level: Level 1

Fees

Full fee: £247.50
Fee waiver available: Yes
Additional costs: No

Course dates and times

Please only click the 'Enrol now' button once. The page may take a moment to load.

Venue Course code Start date Day Time How to enrol
Heath Campus PP01BSL 9th September 2025 Tuesday 6.15pm to 8.45pm Course now full. 
Register on waiting list.
Central Library PP01BSLH46 12th September 2025 Friday 10.15am to 12.45pm Course now full. 
Register on waiting list.

Additional information

Learning delivery method

We have the skills, resources and dedication to help you access the learning you need to enrich your life.

Your course will be delivered by a highly qualified, experienced and knowledgeable tutor via:

  • The classroom, face-to-face teaching at Heath Campus or other venues in Calderdale.
  • Also, Google Classroom will be used to access:
    • electronic learning resources;
    • coursework set by your tutor;
    • collaborative work;
    • and online sessions, if needed.

What we expect from you

You must do various learning activities so we can make sure you are making the expected progress. This is because:

  • your course is funded in full or part by the Government via the West Yorkshire Combined Authority;
  • and all Calderdale Adult Learning (CAL) learning is subject to Ofsted inspection.

You may need to do extra work outside of session times to extend your learning or comprehension, where needed. Also, you are expected to be:

  • punctual;
  • attend regularly;
  • and show commitment to achieve successful completion of the course.

Important: You may lose your place, if:

  • your attendance drops below 88%;
  • or you do not attend three classes in a row and have not informed CAL.

How you will know if you are making progress

An Initial Assessment activity at the start of the course will enable your tutor to assess your starting point.

  • For non-accredited learning this will be completed using a set tutor assessment relevant to the subject area.
  • For accredited courses this requires learners to complete an assessment on the BKSB learning platform.

In every class we acknowledge and accommodate for different levels of skill and experience. This is so learners will be encouraged to identify and work on their own areas for improvement.

You will have a 'Learner Journey' with your tutor. Here, you will set the learning targets that you want to meet.

During the course, you will have the chance to:

  • discuss your progress with your tutor;
  • complete regular assessments;
  • and be given feedback, both verbal and written, on work that you produce.

Support for your progression and next steps

Please refer to:

  • the advice given to you by your course tutor towards the end of your course;
  • or speak to CAL's IAG Officer for information on how you can progress.

For our latest courses, see: Adult Learning.

If you need support in literacy, numeracy, IT or employability skills, please speak to your tutor in the first instance.

Information, advice and guidance

CAL Service has been awarded the matrix Standard, the national quality standard for organisations delivering IAG on learning and work.

We aim to help learners progress through their chosen course of study. Tutors, learning support staff and our IAG Officer can help you decide if a course is right for you. If it is not, we will aim to put you in touch with another provider.

For more detailed and specific careers advice, we work in partnership with the Education Development Trust.

You can also contact the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900. Their website is also an excellent source of information on careers, finding a job, courses and learning: National Careers Service.

Contact us

Calderdale Adult Learning:

Address:

  • Heath Campus, Unit 4, Free School Lane, Halifax. HX1 2PS.

Phone:

Email:

Office hours:

  • Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm.
  • Fridays from 9am to 1pm.

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