Level 1 Award in British Sign Language for Beginners for Adults
Course Code: Q271218
Key Information
Course type:
Languages (part time)
Campus:
Highbury Campus
Start Date:
Various
Duration:
8 months
Attendance:
Evening
Fees:
£225.00
The Level 1 Award is a beginner's course and is designed to teach you to communicate with deaf people in British Sign Language (BSL) on a range of topics that involve simple, everyday language use. You will gain basic skills and confidence in production and reception of BSL.
Who is the course for?
- those who want to learn basic language skills to communicate simple conversations with deaf people
- those who want to learn new language skills as part of a programme of study
- those who want to progress to more advanced study and/or employment using BSL in the future
- those who are studying for personal development
- parents, family, friends or colleagues of deaf people.
You will need to hold a level 1 qualification in English (GCSE, Functional Skills or equivalent) or to successfully complete an English comprehension test at Level 1.
Classes will be held for two hours a week, Wednesdays 6-8pm (term time only). You will be expected to attend all of your timetabled sessions on time, unless prior agreement has been made and agreed with your tutor.
For qualification classes the expectation is a minimum of 85% attendance. If a student arrives more than 10 minutes late for class they may be asked to leave. If a student is absent for three consecutive weeks without notice they will automatically be withdrawn from the course.
You will be assessed through a variety of methods within the classroom (activity, group work, photographic and video) and in conjunction with a final recorded practical examination in each unit.
Unit BSL101 is internally assessed by the teacher.
Units BSL102 and BSL103 are externally assessed by a Signature assessor.
As a student on the programme, you will have weekly tutorials and receive feedback to discuss your progress and to set achievement targets. All our programmes are planned around your individual learning needs, with every student having a timetable that clearly identifies the sessions that will be taught. You will be assigned a Programme Lead who will support you throughout your time in college.
The qualification is divided into three units:
- Introduction to BSL
- Conversational BSL
- Communicate in BSL about Everyday Life.
At the end of the qualification, learners will 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
You could then go on to study a Level 2 Certificate in British Sig Language (Signature).
Level 1 Award in British Sign Language for Beginners for Adults
You may also be interested in
Related Features
Event 16-10-2025
October open events
Check out all the fantastic opportunities available by coming along to our next cross-campus open events, from 4.30-7.30pm on 15 and 16 October. This open event spans two days, so choose the date that suits you best.
NEWS 22-04-2025
Our iconic landmark to be renamed ‘Ayrton Tower’
The votes are in! Our iconic tower is to be officially renamed ‘Ayrton Tower’, after the brilliant woman who tamed lightning Hertha Ayrton.
NEWS 03-04-2024
Accelerating into the world of work
A lovely new video has been launched to celebrate the success of the Accelerate programme, specially developed by us and our partners Unloc to explore young people’s aspirations, develop their employability and enterprise skills, and explore college life through a series of fun and interactive workshops.
NEWS 24-04-2024
Katy's blog - choice matters
With GCSEs rapidly approaching, Principal and CEO Katy Quinn talks about the importance of choice, the love of learning and the trials and tribulations of revision time for parents and carers.
NEWS 26-08-2025
A Victorious time for City of Portsmouth College!
City of Portsmouth College had a Victorious weekend in Southsea, as a partner of Victorious Festival!
NEWS 21-08-2025
Enrolment kicks off a new academic year at City of Portsmouth College
After a very warm summer break, the doors to City of Portsmouth College’s four campuses have reopened this week for enrolment!
NEWS 21-08-2025
High achieving Level 2 students soar to success at City of Portsmouth College
More than 300 students are today (Thursday) celebrating success in their Level 2 programmes with another bumper day of results for City of Portsmouth College.
NEWS 14-08-2025
City of Portsmouth College celebrates a fourth record year of results
There were joyful scenes at City of Portsmouth College as jubilant students celebrated an overall pass rate of 96 per cent across all campuses - another exceptional achievement.
