Learn BSL for Free

Page last updated Tuesday 14th May. New course added.

Application portal now open.

This will be our final free course on our 2023-2024 programme.

This year we have received funding from Manchester Adult Education Service to deliver a programme of free BSL courses. These courses are all suitable for beginners. 

Eligibility Criteria

The funding criteria mean that to be eligible for a place you must be:

  • Aged 19 or over
  • A resident of Manchester (Home postcode: M1, M2, M3 (excluding Salford postcodes), M4, M8, M9, M10, M11, M12, M13, M14, M15, M16 (excluding Trafford postcodes), M18, M19, M20, M21, M22, M23, M40)

Please note:

if you are allocated a course place, we need to meet with you to complete an adult education enrolment form and to check your proof of address and ID before your place on the course is fully confirmed. 

Upcoming Courses

10-hour Introduction to BSL (in person, Wednesdays)
Start date: Wednesday 19 June 2024
Time: 4pm to 6pm
Duration: 5 Weeks (2 hours per week)
Location: Manchester Deaf Centre
Dates: 19/06, 26/06, 03/07, 10/07, 17/07

A​pply for the free BSL course here

More about our free BSL courses

British Sign Language is a rich and beautiful language comprised of hand gestures, facial expressions and body movements. All of our BSL courses are delivered by experienced tutors who are themselves profoundly deaf British Sign Language users. This provides a unique and authentic learning experience for students. Where necessary, a fully qualified BSL Interpreter will be present to assist with the facilitation of communication between tutor and students.

What will I learn?

5-Week Introduction to BSL courses (5-hours and 10-hours)

These courses provide an insight into this fascinating visual language, and equip you with basic skills needed to engage in conversation with a deaf BSL user.

You will cover the following topics:

  • Fingerspelling
  • G​reetings and Introducing Yourself
  • Numbers, Dates and Time
  • Family and Friends

20-Week Introduction to British Sign Language (60-hours) 

These courses are non-accredited. This means that there is no pressure of exams, just lots of learning and fun. The course will include all of the Signature Level 1 syllabus and more.* The aim is to teach you to communicate using BSL on a range of topics that involve simple, everyday language use. 

At the end of the course you 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

*Please note, we can organise for any student who wishes to take their Level 1 exams to do so on a self-funded basis after the 20-week course has finished. 

Further Information: If you would like further information about these courses before applying please email: admin@manchesterdeafcentre.com

 

Thank you to our partners


Our Opening Times

If you would like to know more about
any of our services, please get in touch.

ADDRESS
Manchester Deaf Centre,
Crawford House,
Booth Street East,
M13 9GH

MONDAY - FRIDAY
09:00 – 17:00

CONTACT US

0161 273 3415
info@manchesterdeafcentre.com

Registered Charity Number: 1110373