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Common Ground News

How can I learn BSL?

Author

Carter Sullivan

Updated on March 13, 2026

How can I learn BSL?

The quickest and easiest way to begin learning British Sign Language is by taking an online course. This option gives you the flexibility to study BSL in your own time and at your own pace.

Considering this, how do I start learning BSL?

  1. Take a sign language class.
  2. Learn online by watching videos.
  3. Join a sign language group, deaf club or visit a deaf café
  4. Take an online course.
  5. Hire a private, qualified sign language tutor.
  6. Watch and mimic interpreters.
  7. Ask your Deaf friends and family teach you.
  8. Use an App.

Furthermore, is BSL difficult to learn? Sign language is one of the important forms of communication used. It consists of hand movements, hand shapes as well as facial expressions and lip patterns. It is easy to learn BSL but You'll need qualifications to be a professional.

Hereof, how long does it take to learn BSL?

If you wish to learn basic sign language, then we encourage you to have 20 hours of lessons to start you off.

Can you learn BSL for free?

We offer a wide range of British Sign Language courses for all abilities and they are taught through our online platform, so you're free to learn at your own pace. BSL Courses is perfect if you… James is a professional interpreter at Level 6 who needs to stay on top of his game.

Can I learn BSL online?

Welcome. Learning British Sign Language with us is fun, easy, & flexible. Our unique online signing course is a comprehensive introduction for anybody who is interested in learning BSL. You can now learn wherever and whenever you like.

Does duolingo do BSL?

BSL - Sources for Beginners - Duolingo.

What is the best online BSL course?

These are the 5 best British Sign Language (BSL) courses you can take to learn sign language online.
  1. John Academy: British Sign Language (BSL) Level 1 & 2.
  2. bslcourses: BSL Training.
  3. Udemy: Breakthrough BSL.
  4. Reed: British Sign Language (BSL) Level 1 & 2.

Should I learn BSL or makaton?

Makaton uses a common vocabulary and words that are used in everyday language. Makaton is simpler to use and learn than BSL. Makaton is widely used for very young children who aren't yet speaking and children with speech, language and learning difficulties.

How many levels of BSL are there?

We offer a Scottish qualifications framework that develops knowledge and skills in the area of BSL and related areas from SCQF level 3 to SCQF level 8.

How much does it cost to learn sign language?

If you prefer having a one-on-one experience with a tutor, private ASL lessons range from $15 to $35 per half hour. The cost of learning ASL all depends on your method of learning. For example, an ASL course at a community college typically costs around $300.

Is Sign Language a good skill to have?

Studies also indicate when a child who is deaf or hard of hearing learns ASL, their ability to learn their native language improves. Due to its visual nature, sign language is a great tool for early readers and enhances spelling skills.

Why you should learn BSL?

Reasons why you should learn BSL

Meeting new friends and people is always amazing; by using this Language, you can easily interact with people. Understanding a different language is fabulous! Just like being bilingual in any two languages, becoming fluent in BSL also counts as being bilingual.

Is BSL harder than ASL?

The answer is: No, they are not. They're not even in the same language family, and even use different manual alphabets (ASL uses 1-handed fingerspelling, whereas BSL uses 2-handed). If two people can easily understand each other, the languages they're using are said to be mutually intelligible.

Is there a British Sign Language?

British Sign Language (BSL) is a sign language used in the United Kingdom (UK), and is the first or preferred language of some deaf people in the UK. There are 125,000 deaf adults in the UK who use BSL, plus an estimated 20,000 children.

Is ASL or BSL more common?

ASL has similar issues. ASL and LSF (French Sign Language) are today significantly different. Thus, like English, ASL has become something of a colonizing language, and therefore, I would say it is probably currently more widespread than is BSL.

What is the BSL alphabet?

British Sign Language (BSL) uses a two-handed alphabet however some other sign languages, such as American Sign Language (ASL), use a one-handed alphabet.

What is the sign for I love you in sign language?

To sign I love you, put up your thumb, index finger and pinkie finger, while keeping your ring finger and your middle finger down. Hold the hand out, palm facing away from you and move it back and forth slightly.

Is there a universal sign language?

There is no universal sign language. Different sign languages are used in different countries or regions. For example, British Sign Language (BSL) is a different language from ASL, and Americans who know ASL may not understand BSL. Some countries adopt features of ASL in their sign languages.