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Learn British Sign Language

Photo: Female with baby signs with young girl

We provide free sign language courses for families of deaf children. From Family Sign Language courses to Baby Sign sessions, find out about our upcoming online courses below.

Our curriculum is based on British Sign Language (BSL) but focuses on signs that families with young children will use regularly at home. To make sure you get to learn signs local to where you live in the UK, we set up breakout rooms at our online sessions for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

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Family Sign Language: Springtime Special

Who's it for

This free online course is recommended for families with children 0 to 5 years old.

What you'll learn

Whether you are new to signing, want to practise your skills or learn some additional signs, come and join us for a fun session! Our experienced tutors will teach you lots of signs relating to the season of spring.

When and where

  • Wednesday 13 March 2024, 6pm to 7pm
  • Online via Zoom
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Family Sign Language 1: Introductory Course

Who's it for

At our free online group course, families of deaf children aged 0 to 5 years old can come together and learn useful everyday signs alongside other families. The course is suitable for those who have little or no previous experience of sign language. Up to six family members can join, so you can invite siblings, grandparents or other relatives.

What you'll learn

To help you develop communication within the home, you’ll learn signs that you can incorporate into your daily routines. Our experienced tutors will cover a range of topics, including fingerspelling, family, food and drink, emotions, and lots more.

Families who complete four or more sessions will qualify to join our follow-on course, Family Sign Language 2: Next Steps.

When and where

  • Every Wednesday for six consecutive weeks
  • Starts Wednesday 10 April 2024, 6.30pm to 7.30pm
  • Online via Zoom
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Family Sign Language One-to-One Course

(For families with deaf children 0 to 5 years old)

If a group course is not suitable, you may qualify for one of our one-to-one family courses.

We have a very limited number of one-to-one courses available. These cover the same topics as our introductory group course and are delivered over six sessions via Zoom at a time suitable for you. Up to six family members can take part, so grandparents and other family members can join remotely.

Our experienced tutors will teach you and your family signs that you can use in everyday family life. Topics include mealtimes, family members, talking about feelings and lots more.

We prioritise applications from:

  • those who experience communication difficulties in the home
  • young children with language and communication concerns
  • families with no previous experience of learning sign language
  • families who need additional learning support.

Applications for our courses starting in April 2024 will be open until Tuesday 16 April 2024.

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Happy Hands: Baby Sign Online Sessions

Our baby sign sessions for 0 to 4 year olds are designed to boost your deaf child’s communication development in their early years.

At these interactive online sessions, you and your little one will have fun while singing well-known songs and nursery rhymes and reading some of your favourite stories. We’ll be using lots of toys, teddies and colour to grab your child’s attention and engage them through the screen.

Although Happy Hands is not a British Sign Language course, it’s a relaxed and fun way to learn some everyday signs that you can use at home with your child.

New sessions available!