BSL resources for beginners

Learning sign language can be fun and useful. Whether you’re a parent, a GP receptionist, a young person with a new Deaf friend, or you dream of becoming a BSL interpreter, our list will help you on your learning journey!

Most of the resources in our list are created by native Deaf signers. Learning from people who use sign language every day is key to learning the basics that help conversation flow.

If you need to practise signing, there are Deaf events in and around Milton Keynes that welcome learners. Have a look on our socials and Deaf Clubs pages for more details.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy learning BSL!

Apps:

Bright BSL: Karen and Andrew are BSL tutors who created this app to help parents, teachers and anyone who wants to make the world more inclusive. The app is available on Google and Apple. You can do a free trial and then subscribe (currently around £12 month). Alternatively, you can access the free BSL glossary on the website. The app uses a similar gamified experience to Duolingo to keep you motivated.

Lingvano: The app offers a free trial lesson, and then offers a subscription if you want to continue learning. The current subscription is around £10 per month.

Self study (online) BSL courses:

Dot Sign Language have a free resource that teaches Deaf culture and basic signs for meeting new people, numbers, weather and a few other topics.

Doncaster Deaf Trust: They have a free BSL course funded by the National Lottery. The course follows the BSL Level 1 curriculum.

A special mention for Youtube channels that help with learning BSL. There are lots of channels such as the NDCS for learning BSL. However, Commanding Hands is a good channel to use for learning basic BSL;

Deaf children support:

Did you know that you can learn BSL for free? The National Deaf Childrens Society in association with the Royal Association for the Deaf are currently providing free sign language courses for care givers of deaf children.

Free BSL courses for families: RAD currently provide free courses to families with Deaf children. Check out their website for more details.

BSL Websites:

Twinkl: this website is useful for teachers and learning support assistants. The site offers lots of educational resources that can be printed. Some resources are free and some are paid. Their resources include topic specific posters and flash cards. Topics include: colours, numbers, alphabet, emotions and food and drink.

BSL resources for intermediate learners

Apps:

We all get stuck for a sign now and again. Signbsl is a website (and is now an app) that’s really useful for finding signs you can’t find elsewhere.

Signd is a BSL dictionary website with over 40,000 signs

If you need a BSL glossary of signs for GCSE topics then you can use the Scottish Sensory service

Websites:

Are you on a BSL course? If you need to practise your receptive skills, AccessBSL has a wide range of video clips on their YouTube channel that are good for practising your receptive skills.

Signworldlearn has fingerspelling games, BSL stories,

Resources for Advanced learners:

Apps:

Spread the Sign is a website (and app) that shows signs from all over the world. It’s a handy site if you’re learning international sign language.

Websites:

Lumo TV

Fancy a challenge?

Test your receptive skills by watching clips from Edinburgh Deaf Club. Lots of jokes and stories that might make you laugh!

Learning BSL is great but it’s no good unless you use it! Have a look at the social page. There are lots of opportunities to meet members of the Deaf Community in and around Milton Keynes. You can also check out our Facebook page for the latest events happening.