Languages at Leicester

BSL full Level 1 Fast Track

This is for you if you have no prior knowledge of British Sign language (or so little that you effectively want to start again from scratch). You will learn basic skills to enable you to make yourself understood and to find out information in everyday situations.

This course comprises the full level 1: Signature Units 101, 102 and 103. It offers 90 learning hours (64 contact hours plus 26 independent learning hours)

You will be taught by a trained and experienced deaf BSL tutor. Having a deaf tutor (the equivalent of a native speaker) has its benefits. Students acquire real experience communicating with deaf people and have a better understanding of how interaction with signs takes place.

Key information

Courses starting October 2023

  • Course: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6.00pm - 8.00pm*
    Delivery    : On-campus (face-to-face)
    Timeline: Starts 10 October 2023 - Ends 8 February 2024 (16 weeks, 2 lessons of 2 hour per week - see timetable below). It is a complete course. It is not divided into different units like the individual 10-week courses that cover the Level One Award.     
    • Term 1: 11 weeks from October to December 2023
    • Term 2: 5 weeks from January to February 2024
    Lengths: 16 weeks (90 learning hours: 64 guided hours and 26 independent learning hours)
    Fees: Full course £495 (fee included all exams). This is payable in full or in three instalments of £165.00 as outlined below.
    • Payment 1 on enrolment
    • Payment 2 by 14 November 2023
    • Payment 3 by 9 January 2024
    Exam fees: Signature's Level 1 Exams fees are included in the course fee (Unit 101: £20; Unit 102: £42; and Unit 103: £42).

These courses will be taught in small groups. It requires a minimum of 8 and it can have up to a maximum of 14 students. The course fee includes all tuition, access to VLE (virtual learning environment), handouts and any tests/exams, but not a textbook.

Terms run from October to December, from January to February. When enrolling you are committing to the full 16 weeks.

Enrol now

Entry level

No previous knowledge of BSL is required.  The course is suitable for absolute beginners.

Qualification aim

Level 1 Award in British Sign Language Qualifications is designed to teach learners to communicate with Deaf people in British Sign Language (BSL) on a range of topics that involve simple, everyday language use. They will gain basic skills and confidence in production and reception of BSL.

The specification has been designed using the UK Occupational Language Standards 2010 at Level 1.

Course content

This British Sign Language qualification is divided into three units, each of which can be achieved separately. 

To achieve the full Level 1 Certificate in British Sign Language, candidates are required to achieve all three units.

 Unit  Unit title Assessment  Exam fee
 BSL 101  BSL Receptive Skills  Practical assessment of skills  £ 20.00*
 BSL 102  BSL Productive Skills  Presentation in BSL  £ 42.00*
 BSL 103  BSL Conversational Skills  Conversation in BSL  £ 42.00*

Signature Level 1 Qualification Specifications.

*Fees are transferred in its totality to the awarding body (Signature's Fees-Booklet-23-24).

Course schedule

The schedule for academic year 2023/24 is displayed below. Please notice that some of these dates could be subject to change.

Lessons take place twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.00pm to 8.00 pm (there will be a 10 minutes break half-way through the lesson). 

  1. Tuesday 10 October 2023
  2. Thursday 12 October 2023
  3. Tuesday 17 October 2023
  4. Thursday 19 October 2023
  5. Tuesday 24 October 2023
  6. Thursday 26 October 2023
  7. Tuesday 31 October 2023
  8. Thursday 2 November 2023
  9. Tuesday 7 November 2023
  10. Thursday 9 November 2023
  11. Tuesday 14 November 2023
  12. Thursday 16 November 2023
  13. Tuesday 21 November 2023
  14. Thursday 23 November 2023
  15. Tuesday 28 November 2023
  16. Thursday 30 November 2023
  17. Tuesday 5 December 2023
  18. Thursday 7 December 2023
  19. Tuesday 12 December 2023
  20. Thursday 14 December 2023
  21. Tuesday 19 December 2023
  22. Thursday 21 December 2023
    **Christmas break**
  23. Tuesday 9 January 2024
  24. Thursday 11 January 2024
  25. Tuesday 16 January 2024
  26. Thursday 18 January 2024
  27. Tuesday 23 January 2024
  28. Thursday 25 January 2024
  29. Tuesday 30 January 2024
  30. Thursday 1 February 2024
  31. Tuesday 6 February 2024
  32. Thursday 8 February 2024

Progression route

On completion of all three units you will be awarded the Level 1 Award for British Sign Language. Then, you can progress to BSL Level 2.

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