Level 1 BSL (Online)

Level 1 BSL (Online)

Upcoming courses:
• Thursdays 13:00-15:00 starting 8 May 2025 (BSL1-May25)
• Tuesdays 18:30-20:30 starting 9 September 2025 (BSL1-Sep25-Tu)
• Thursdays 18:30-20:30 starting 11 September 2025 (BSL1-Sep25-Th)
• Mondays 18:30-20:30 starting 6 October 2025 (BSL1-Oct25)
• Wednesdays 18:30-20:30 starting 5 November 2025 (BSL1-Nov25)
• Tuesdays 18:30-20:30 starting 6 January 2026 (BSL1-Jan26-Tu)
• Thursdays 18:30-20:30 starting 8 January 2026 (BSL1-Jan26-Th)
• Mondays 18:30-20:30 starting 2 February 2026 (BSL1-Feb26)
• Wednesdays 18:30-20:30 starting 4 March 2026 (BSL1-Mar26)
• Tuesdays 18:30-20:30 starting 14 April 2026 (BSL1-Apr26-Tu)
• Thursdays 18:30-20:30 starting 16 April 2026 (BSL1-Apr26-Th)
• Mondays 18:30-20:30 starting 1 June 2026 (BSL1-Jun26)
• Wednesdays 18:30-20:30 starting 1 July 2026 (BSL1-Jul26)
Last Updated: 21-04-2025
At a glance:
Beginners (A1)
3 exams
25 weeks
2 hours/week
Online course

£380 (inc. VAT) + £110 exam fees

LEVEL 1 BSL - Course content

The aim of this course is to introduce learners to the basics of British Sign Language. Teaching begins by exploring the visual-gestural modality of human language. You will learn about deaf people and their language and culture. There is an emphasis on building vocabulary relating to a wide range of topics, including fingerspelling, eating and drinking, transport, directions, holiday, family, hobbies and interests, work and school.

This course is delivered using a total immersion method. This means all classes are delivered in BSL and are a 'voice off' environment. Your teacher will use a variety of teaching and learning methods to cater for all learning styles and to meet the needs of all learners. The course is designed to be fun, engaging and meaningful and will give you the opportunity to practise your productive and receptive skills by means of group work, pair work, role-plays, games, presentations and discussions.

The Level 1 BSL course is useful for anybody who is in regular contact with deaf people, be it through work or social life.
UnitTitleTopics covered
101Introduction to British Sign Language
  • Manual alphabet (finger spelling)
  • Attracting the attention of a deaf person/deaf people
  • Meeting familiar and unfamiliar people
  • Requesting clarification
  • Leave taking
  • Basic numbers
  • Weather
  • Travelling
  • Giving and describing simple directions
102Conversational British Sign Language
  • Describing people
  • Giving and receiving information about people
  • Describing animals
  • Describing objects and furniture
  • Locations
  • Using the local number system
  • Give information and ask about age
  • Telling the time
  • Ask for and given information about money
  • Days, weeks and years (the calendar)
  • Describing interests and activities at home
  • Describing day-to-day activities of self and others
  • Sharing information about food and drink
103Communicate in British Sign Language about everyday life
  • Giving and asking for directions in a building
  • Describing places and buildings
  • Travelling
  • Giving and asking for information about everyday life
  • Giving and asking for information about people
  • Commenting on and describing the weather
  • Using the local number system
  • Telling the time
  • Asking for and giving calendar information

Assessments

There are total of 3 assessments for this qualification:
UnitTopicAssessment
101Introduction to BSLConversation with teacher (4-5 minutes)
102Conversational skillsConversation with teacher (4-5 minutes)
103Everyday lifeConversation with teacher (4-5 minutes)

Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements for this course.

Progression

After you complete this course, you can move on to the Signature Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language course.

Dates and times

Scheduled start date: 8 May 2025 
Scheduled end date: 20 November 2025
Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times
Scheduled start date: 9 September 2025
Scheduled end date: 10 March 2026
Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times
Scheduled start date: 11 September 2025
Scheduled end date: 12 March 2026
Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times
Scheduled start date: 6 October 2025
Scheduled end date: 20 April 2026
Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times
Scheduled start date: 5 November 2025
Scheduled end date: 20 May 2026
Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times
Scheduled start date: 6 January 2026
Scheduled end date: 10 July 2026
Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times
Scheduled start date: 8 January 2026
Scheduled end date: 10 July 2026
Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times
Scheduled start date: 2 February 2026
Scheduled end date: 21 September 2026
Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times
Scheduled start date: 4 March 2026
Scheduled end date: 30 September 2026
Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times
Scheduled start date: 14 April 2026
Scheduled end date: 27 October 2026
Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times
Scheduled start date: 16 April 2026
Scheduled end date: 29 October 2026
Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times
Scheduled start date: 1 June 2026
Scheduled end date: 4 January 2027
Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times

Fees

Self GuidedTaught courseAccredited course
£48 (inc. VAT) annual subscription£380 (inc. VAT)£490 (inc. VAT + exam fees)
15x Self-guided lessons 15x Self-guided lessons 15x Self-guided lessons
List of learning resources List of learning resources List of learning resources
BSL stories and quizzes BSL stories and quizzes BSL stories and quizzes
BSL dictionary BSL dictionary BSL dictionary
Self-evaluation quizzes Self-evaluation quizzes Self-evaluation quizzes
Live weekly lessons with a qualified, deaf native BSL teacher Live weekly lessons with a qualified, deaf native BSL teacher Live weekly lessons with a qualified, deaf native BSL teacher
Administrative support Administrative support Administrative support
Access to online peer group Access to online peer group Access to online peer group
Formal accreditation and certificate Formal accreditation and certificate Formal accreditation and certificate
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For more information about how our course fees are calculated, please see our FAQ section.

For individuals paying privately

Option 1 – Pay in full
£380 payable at the time of application
£110 exam fee payable when the exams are booked

Refund policy:
£285 refundable up to 21 days after the course starts. No refund after 21 days.

Option 2 – Pay in instalments
£95 deposit payable at the time of application
£95 per month x 3 months
£110 exam fee payable when the exams are booked

Refund policy:
£95 initial deposit non-refundable. Remaining payments refundable up to 21 days after the course starts. No refund after 21 days.

For employers and organisations

We do not absorb the VAT for VAT-registered companies. We will raise an invoice for the full course and exam fee. We do not offer employers the option to pay in instalments.

Full course fee: £380 + VAT = £456

There is no VAT on the exam fee.

PO number and employer financial details required at the time of application.

Refund policy:
£285 refundable up to 21 days after the course starts. No refund after 21 days.
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BSL First LTD | Company number: 12860304 | VAT number: 379905441

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