Thanks to funding from Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES), we are offering a programme of free British Sign Language (BSL) courses.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a place you must be:
Aged 19 or over
A resident of Manchester with one of the following postcodes: M1, M2, M3, M4, M8, M9, M10, M11, M12, M13, M14, M15, M16, M18, M19, M20, M21, M22, M23, M40. Please note, Salford and Trafford postcodes are excluded.
Be unemployed, on benefits, or on a low income (less than £26,800)
Have little or no previous knowledge of BSL
Be looking to build informal skills (this is a non-accredited, community-learning enrichment-style course)
Once you have completed the online application form and have been offered a place on the course, we will need to meet with you to complete an Adult Education enrolment form and check your proof of ID and proof of address before your place on the course is fully confirmed. This can be done online or by dropping in to see us at Manchester Deaf Centre.
5 Week Introductory BSL Taster
This short and accessible course is ideal for learners with little or no prior experience in British Sign Language (BSL). It’s designed for those who want a “short and sweet” introduction to the language.
We have two classes running for October for 5 weeks, 2-hrs per week and there are 10 places available for each class. Details as below:
Date:
Wednesday 7th October 2026 (class time 1:30pm-3:30pm) - Teacher: Wayne Sharples
Thursday 8th October 2026 (class time 1:30pm-3:30pm) - Teacher: Sarah Shaukat
There are 10 places available for each class.
We're adding more courses soon – check back for updates.
10 Week Refresher/Progression BSL Course
This course is designed specifically for learners who want to refresh and build on existing BSL skills — it is for those seeking a longer, more in-depth experience. Learners should already be familiar with fingerspelling and have a little knowledge of BSL vocabulary.
There are 10 places available for each class. Details, dates and times to be announced.
Check back for updates.
Further Information: If you would like further information about free BSL courses before applying please email: admin@manchesterdeafcentre.com
