Some estimates claim that as many as one million people in London are suffering from a level of deafness, which includes over 80,000 profoundly or severely deaf people. Sign language is an important part of such a bustling city and there are so many people who rely on it for their jobs, education, and more.
One positive of this is that there are a lot of places to learn sign language in London. On top of this, the deaf community does have a decent amount of events and meetups that can further help people to learn sign language. Whether you are impacted by deafness or just want to make sure you are maximising your methods of communication, the options for learning sign language are many.
Sign Language Lessons in London
Many people who want to find sign language lessons in the UK find that there are options In London, there are several places where individuals can learn British Sign Language (BSL). As you would expect from a bustling city with a huge population, there are many ways to learn. Here are some options:
City Lit
City Lit is a well-known adult education college in London that offers a variety of BSL courses at different levels, from beginner to advanced. One of the best things about City Lit is that they offer evening, weekend, and daytime classes to accommodate various schedules. So if you are working in a full-time position but still wish to learn how to use BSL, you have options. City Lit courses also have multiple start dates throughout the year. Some of these are taught without a formal final assessment and you will receive a certificate of attendance instead.
As well as flexibility with timings, there are also options for online learning as well as in-person. In-person courses are delivered at the City Lit college campus in London near Covent Garden, which means excellent transport links for those travelling to take the courses.
Did you know that among the first courses ever offered by City Lit were lipreading classes for deafened soldiers returning from World War I? The company has over 100 years of experience in helping people with deafness and delivering this kind of training, and they have experienced practitioners working today.
Signature
Signature is a leading awarding body for deaf communication qualifications in the UK. They accredit a range of BSL courses offered by different providers across London. Individuals can search for Signature-accredited centres on their website. They also accredit some of the organisations in other places, such as sign language lessons in Birmingham.
Signature is different from a lot of the other organisations on our list, as it provides a lot of different support options besides just learning. For instance, Signature allows people to get in touch if they are struggling to fund their sign language course and they will help to see if funding or flexible payment can be arranged.
The site makes it super simple to find a suitable place to take your BSL lessons. You can even find options in a region of London that is convenient for you, and due to the fact that London is one of the best places to learn sign language in the UK, there are a lot of different places where you can go. More than most, if not all cities in the UK.
Deaf Umbrella
Deaf Umbrella is an organisation based in London that offers BSL courses for individuals and organisations. They provide both face-to-face and online BSL training, including beginner courses and specialised workshops.
This is an organisation with a difference, though. Deaf Umbrella is not just about teaching people actual sign language skills, and they have courses relating to deaf awareness and workplace skills to be more inclusive. This makes it a great option for learning BSL in London but also for enhancing the workplace. They offer sign language services throughout London as well as the South East of England.
British Deaf Association (BDA)
The BDA is a national charity dedicated to promoting the rights of deaf people in the UK. They offer courses in various locations, including London, aimed at different levels of proficiency. The BDA has a presence all over the country including in Manchester and the North.
Though they have campaigns trying to improve awareness and even get BSL taught as a GCSE subject, the BDA also have numerous schemes designed to help affected families, for instance.
The Family Signing in the Home Project (FSH) is one such program with “one main aim – to provide better communication within a family where there is a child or children diagnosed deaf.”
The BDA is one of the most crucial organisations in the UK, and while they do not offer a lot of BSL courses directly, they are well worth being involved with and following to see what events and schemes they offer that can help.
London Borough Councils
Local councils in London offer adult education programs that may include BSL courses. Individuals can check with their local council or visit their website to see if BSL courses are available in their area. This can be hit and miss, but there have been some running regular adult classes.
Private Language Schools
Most areas of the UK have private language schools, especially in populous cities, so you can find BSL lessons in Glasgow or London, for instance. Some private language schools in London may also offer BSL courses alongside other language programs. Individuals can research and inquire about BSL courses at these schools. International House London has some courses on offer both online and in person.
Remark!
Remark! is a well-known organisation based in London that specialises in British Sign Language (BSL) training, interpretation, and accessibility services.
Remark! offers a wide range of BSL courses at various levels, catering to beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced users. These courses are designed to provide comprehensive instruction in BSL grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills. They typically offer both face-to-face classes and online courses, allowing individuals to choose the format that best suits their needs and schedule. They even have their own BSL TV channel on their website so people can learn while watching shows that have been made for broadcast on Remark!
There is also a scheme called the Remark Community which offers people the chance to get involved in meetups and other events around London. There is so much going on within the community and it can be a great way for people to meet others and gain extra skills.
It's important for individuals to research and consider factors such as course content, schedule, location, and cost when choosing a BSL course in London. Of course, you may want to consider whether they prefer in-person classes, online learning, or a combination of both.
Remark! is actively involved in advocacy efforts to promote awareness of deaf issues, rights, and accessibility needs in London and beyond. They collaborate with local authorities, community organisations, and advocacy groups to raise awareness of BSL and advocate for greater inclusion and accessibility for deaf individuals.
Benefits and Reasons for Learning Sign Language in London
Why learn sign language in London? Well, for some people suffering from deafness, it is obvious, but we need people who want to act as translators or who just learn the skill as a way to be more inclusive, too.
London is a diverse and multicultural city, and learning sign language promotes inclusivity by bridging communication barriers and fostering understanding across different communities. It demonstrates respect for linguistic diversity and promotes social cohesion.
Proficiency in sign language can open up a range of career opportunities in London and beyond. Many sectors, including education, healthcare, social services, and customer service, value employees who can communicate in sign language to better serve deaf and hard-of-hearing clients and colleagues.
Learning sign language enhances communication skills, allowing individuals to communicate effectively with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. This can lead to more inclusive interactions and relationships both in personal and professional settings.
Learn Sign Language With Superprof
If you’re interested in learning BSL, you can find plenty of help with Superprof. Whether you want to find a tutor in London or learn sign language in Leeds or elsewhere in the UK.
You can browse through profiles of experienced tutors based in London. Each tutor's profile typically includes information about their qualifications, teaching experience, rates, and availability.
A lot of people may be shy to learn in a group environment but are keen to learn in a one-to-one situation with a tutor.
Superprof tutors provide personalised instruction tailored to the individual learning goals and abilities of each student. Whether learners are complete beginners or looking to improve their existing BSL skills, tutors can adapt their teaching approach to meet their needs. These sign language classes may cover BSL grammar, vocabulary, conversation practice, and cultural insights.
Learners can read reviews from past students and compare tutors to find the best match for their learning needs. On top of this, some of the tutors in London also offer the first lesson for free. Students can arrange lessons at convenient times, whether it's during evenings, weekends, or daytime hours. This flexibility allows learners to fit BSL lessons into their daily routines without disrupting other commitments.
Whether you are taking a BSL course and need some extra help, or you are just looking to find someone who can help with your communication skills, Superprof can connect you with BSL tutors to help.
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