The aim of this course is to further develop your linguistic skills in British Sign Language towards upper-intermediate level, or B2 of the CEFR. Teaching begins by briefly re-visiting the vocabulary and grammatical structures covered in Level 3, before moving swiftly onto developing skills, understanding and knowledge in BSL grammar, receptive skills, productive skills and conversational skills.
The course is delivered in an informal and relaxed environment and 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 practice your productive and receptive skills by means of group work, pair work, role-plays, games, presentations and discussions.
The Level 4 course is useful for anybody who is in regular contact with deaf people, be it through work or social life. On completion of this course, learners will be able to further develop their linguistic skills by progressing onto the Level 6 Certificate in British Sign Language course and/or onto professional training in interpreting, translation and communication support.
Theme
Topics covered
Employment and business
Applying for jobs
Positive and negative discrimination, tribunals, equal opportunities
Setting up your own business – banks, accounts, tax
Advantages and disadvantages of being self employed
Unemployment rates, how easy/difficult is it to get a job?
Access to work – do all deaf people know about it? Is this available to everyone? What are the limitations?
Part time vs Full time work / Maximum working hours when doing 2 jobs
What obstacles do Deaf people face in employment?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Pensions – private pensions vs state pension, retirement age changes, how this will affect the younger generation. Is there enough access to information for Deaf people on pensions?
Benefits available for those who can’t work
Work ethics
Education
Access to education – has this improved over the years?
Are Deaf people limited to what further education courses they can do?
Are mainstream schools fully inclusive for Deaf people?
What improvements could be made to all levels of education to support Deaf children/students?
Interpreters vs CSWs
Deaf children’s social relationships in mainstream schools vs deaf schools
What difficulties do deaf children face in education?
Transition from primary/secondary/college/university
Educational methods used to teach Deaf children.
Deaf role model/Deaf Identity
Special Educational Needs (SEN) – Education, Health, Care Plan (EHCP)
Tribunals – fighting for school choice
Work placements
Health and wellbeing
Access to information on health and well being
Mindfulness/meditation/relaxation apps
Can deaf people access therapies – Improving Access to Psychological Therapies
Long-term impact of isolation/barriers
Gym/fitness/exercise classes – how important is exercise for mental health? Do Deaf adults and children have access to these services
What can schools do to support children’s health and well-being
Top tips for mental health and well-being
Healthy eating – myths and facts
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Differences in deaf and hearing mental health
Society and politics
Deaf World – how has this changed over the years?
Hearing World – is this more inclusive now?
How does society influence young people?
Barriers deaf people face in society
Does the government make sure Deaf people have full access to political updates? Are their policies accessible?
Access to information before voting
Politics within the deaf community
Speed awareness/driving courses/parking fines
Attitudes towards Deaf people
Terminology used to describe deafness
BSL Act Scotland
Science and technology
Communication methods
How have deaf people benefited from changes in technology?
New inventions – SUBPAC (music vibration vest) so deaf can hear, subtitle glasses
Space travel - NASA vs Russia vs China/effects on balance
Ocean Technology - search for missing aeroplanes
Big Brother - cameras watching and recording us
New signs linked to science – e.g Ebola, Coronavirus
New Apps – sign translation apps pros and cons
Problems with online technology – internet safety, cyber bullying, trolling
Cochlear implants
Medical advancements in restoring hearing/gene therapy
Media and culture
Interpreted theatre, Deaf theatre
Deaf Comedy, humour
Deaf History
History of Deaf Schools
History of BSL up to Recognition and beyond
History of fingerspelling
The Milan Conference 1880 and 2010 official apology
Social and medical model of disability
Diversity in the deaf community
How other countries religion or beliefs impact on their deaf community
Assessments
There are total of 3 assessments for this qualification:
No.
Topic
Assessment
1
Productive skills
Formal presentation (10-12 minutes)
2
Conversational skills
Informal conversation (12-14 minutes)
3
Receptive skills
Receptive skills written exam
Entry Requirements
Level 3 qualification in BSL (or have Level 3 equivalent BSL skills)
Pass the interview and aptitude test (external candidates only)
You must also have a good level of literacy to be able to read and understand the course materials.
This is an advanced level course. There is only so much you can learn in a classroom, so you are expected to already be working or socialising with native signers on a regular basis.
BSL First students do not need to attend an interview.
Progression
When you have completed this course, you will be able to commence professional training in sign language interpreting by joining our Interpreting Foundations course. You may also continue to develop your linguistic skills by progressing on to the Level 6 Certificate in British Sign Language.
Careers
Learning BSL isn’t just fun, for many it’s the starting point of a new and exciting career, or professional development in their current role. Popular careers include BSL/English Interpreter, BSL/English Translator, Communication Support Worker, Teacher of the Deaf and BSL Teacher. Our courses are designed to respond to industry demand, which means they won’t just prepare you for the assessment, but also they will equip you with the skills to succeed in your chosen career, or any other career involving the use of BSL.
Our teachers have a wealth of knowledge and experience in British Sign Language, teaching, interpreting, translation and communication support, so no matter what your goals are we will help to achieve them.
Here are some popular careers that require knowledge and skills in BSL.
BSL/English Interpreter
International Sign Interpreter
BSL/English Translator
Communication Support Worker
Teacher of the Deaf
BSL Teaching Assistant
Educational Communication Support Worker
BSL Support Worker
Communicator Guide
BSL Teacher
Notetaker
Lipspeaker
Deafblind Interpreter
Dates and times
Scheduled start date: 1 September 2025 Scheduled end date: 20 April 2026 Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times
Scheduled start date: 15 April 2026 Scheduled end date: 2 December 2026 Holiday dates to be agreed according to regional term times
Fees
For more information about how our course fees are calculated, please see our FAQ section.
For individuals paying privately
Option 1 – Pay in full £50 interview fee payable at the time of application £150 deposit payable when accepting place £750 payable within 21 days after the course starts £185 exam fee payable when the exams are booked
Refund policy: £750 refundable up to 21 days after the course starts. No refund after 21 days.
Option 2 – Pay in instalments £50 interview fee payable at the time of application £150 deposit payable when accepting place £150 per month x 5 months £185 exam fee payable when the exams are booked
Refund policy: £150 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: £900 + VAT = £1,080
There is no VAT on the exam fee.
PO number and employer financial details required at the time of application.
Refund policy: £750 refundable up to 21 days after the course starts. No refund after 21 days.