BSL Learning Resources

So… you are thinking about learning BSL… YIPPEE!! 😀

I am always so excited to hear someone else is even thinking about learning BSL, but if you are here, it means you must be pretty serious, right? Or maybe you have some BSL skills under your belt, but would like to get a qualification to prove it?

It can be a little bit daunting starting a new learning journey, but fear not! I have this page dedicated to sign posting learners to get the best experience in their BSL education.

Whilst I have made multiple groups below (eg. Beginners through to Academic) please do not feel as though you need to limit yourself to the resources listed for your level– you are welcome to explore other levels’ resource list also. This is especially the case for higher levels; I recommend you take a look at the lower level’s content in addition to your own.

If you know of any resource that you found beneficial that is not found anywhere (or not found easily to where you’d expect it to be) please get in touch: bslresourceproject@outlook.com

For everyone, no matter the level

This includes where to look for BSL teaching centres, as well as resources I think are appropriate to all. Click here for more information.

BSL Training

Gaining a qualification in BSL is a satisfying and fulfilling process. Your personal reasons for learning BSL should keep you…

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Dictionaries and Glossaries

Unlike written languages, BSL is a visual language, and therefore it is important to seek out visual recordings of BSL…

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For Beginners

These resources are for those with little or no knowledge of Deaf culture or BSL; for those who have up to a Level 1 qualification. Click for more information.

Deaf Awareness Training

Not all Deaf people use BSL. Not all Hearing people want to learn BSL. However, if you want to communicate effectively with a Deaf person,…

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I don’t want a BSL Qualification, but I want to learn some BSL

Realistically, not everyone is going to want to have a piece of paper after learning a skills; you are not alone! Whilst getting qualifications are…

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I want a BSL Level 1 Qualification

So you want to begin your BSL Learning journey! From the very start!! Oh my goodness, this is such an exciting time! 😀 I have…

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For Intermediate Learners

A collection of sites that are more tailored to those with some knowledge of BSL and Deaf culture; for those who have up to a Level 3 qualification. Click for more information.

I want a BSL Level 2 Qualification

A BSL Level 2 qualification, as I was told, was equivalent to gaining a GCSE. Now there is a BSL GCSE in development, I am…

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I want a BSL Level 3 Qualification

Okay… now you mean business! I was told a Level 3 standard is equivalent to A Level, although I can’t recall if it was a…

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Deaf History and Rights

When talking to Hearing people about Deaf subjects, it is very apparent that Deaf history is simply not taught at school. This should come as…

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Discrimination

Being a minority, both within the UK and on the international scale, the Deaf community have faced genocide (including via eugenics) and ongoing lack of…

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For Advanced Learners

At this stage, you should be aware of all the resources from the previous groups, but here are a couple more pointers; for beyond Level 3. Click for more information.

For Academic Research, including Books

Finally, for those who may not even necessarily have a qualification in BSL yet, but want more insight into Deaf and Sign Language(s) research. Click for more information.

University Degree Programs

Heriot-Watt University; Link to website
This University offers a 4-year full-time MA degree course for BSL and interpreting
University of Central Lancashire; Link to website
This University offers a 3-year full-time BA degree course for BSL and Deaf Studies; there is a part-time option available. They also have foundation courses and post-graduate courses available
University of Wolverhampton; Link to website
This University offers a BA degree course for BSL and interpretting, either 3 years full-time or part-time option available
York St. John University; Link to website
This University offers a 3-year full-time BA degree course for BSL and Deaf Studies
Signature; Link to website
You do not need one of the University Degrees listed here to become an interpreter as beyond Level 6 via a Signature accredited course is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree. I included here for reference purposes.
Gallaudet University; Link to website
The only University which is specifically for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students; it is based in USA and therefore modules are taught in American Sign Language (ASL) but they provide teaching to international Deaf students

Journals or other Academic publications

“Computational phylogenetics reveal histories of sign languages” ; Link to website
Specific study that has looked into mapping the historical context and evolution of sign languages, similar to etymology for spoken/written languages.
- The above link is the summarised, “layman friendly” blog post; click here for the full published study
“Evolutionary dynamics in the dispersal of sign languages”; Link to website
Specific study that has looked into the evolution of sign languages, including classification grouping and why.
- The above link is the summarised, “layman friendly” blog post; click here for the full published study
Deaf Studies Trust; Link to website
After the closure of University of Bristol’s Centre for Deaf Studies, all Deaf studies have migrated/merged with Deaf Studies Trust (see below)
Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL); Link to website
A part of University College London, this Centre looks at researching sign linguistics, psychology and neuroscience; it is the largest research centre to do so in Europe, and has Deaf and Hard of Hearing researchers
Nature.com; Link to website
This database gives access to articles published in one of their many journals. There is an emphasis on qualitative data collection, and neuroscience.
PubMed; Link to website
This database searches through a number of associated academic journals, offering the ability to contact the journal or author directly for full article access. Some articles are available on the site directly, with full access either via a separate link or PDF file.
Research Gate; Link to website
This database provides access to many academic publications and in-depth studies of BSL (example listed) and Deaf culture– some books are available for free PDF download in full
Science.org; Link to website
A collection of published journal entries and a “brief overview” of significant study outcomes.
SIGNS @ Heriot Watt University; Link to website
Deaf-led research; also hosts an annual conference wherein Deaf and HOH (and Sign Language based) studies are presented to other academics; please see “Projects” for documented filmed examples, and “Completed pHDs” for journal articles etc.
The Royal Society; Link to website
A collection of published journal entries and a “brief overview” of significant study outcomes.
University of Bristol, Centre for Deaf Studies; Link to website
This department of the University has since been closed down (as of 2013); however, an internet archive of some of their modules has remained accessible. Students of Bristol may also wish to get in touch with the library support team as there are many resources still available for loan, such as journals and videos/DVDs/digital downloads

Books

Abe Books; Link to website
This bookselling website is very useful as they often have copies of books that are otherwise unavailable in other common booksellers (example linked) — this site is best if you already have the information of the book you need as the search function doesn’t always work well
Amazon; Link to website
A useful source for Deaf and BSL related books; example given is a BSL Linguistics book that goes into depth of how BSL as a language is structured and interpreted — this site is best if you have a rough idea of what you are looking for, and always check reviews to make sure you are confident with your purchase
British Deaf History Society; Link to website
They provide a selection of books related to Deaf historical events or biographies of notable Deaf figures.
Gallaudet’s University Press; Link to website
As well as being a teaching University, Gallaudet also prides itself on being an institution for all things Deaf and Sign Language related— that includes being a huge resource for Books and Journals. They also have a section dedicated to foreign Sign Languages (ie. non-ASL) which includes lesser widely available resources such as books on Ethiopian Sign language, Nepalese Sign Language, etc.
Google Books; Link to website
I believe that supporting Deaf businesses would involve making purchases. Understandably, this isn’t always accessible to everyone, often due to lack of physical copies on the market making the ability to buy impossible (or quite expensive to say the least!) Sometimes it is nice to be able to have a preview of an item before taking your wallet out. Google Books sometimes have copies of textbooks relating to BSL and the Deaf community, although will frequently have multiple pages omitted. Nonetheless, it may be worth quickly seeing if there is an online abridged version of a book you are interested in buying to see if it would be beneficial to your studies. The above link is to an example book: Paddy Ladd’s Understanding Deaf Culture: In Search of Deafhood.

BSL Learning Resources