This course is now full

Introduction to British Sign Language (BSL)
Tuesdays 18:00 - 19:00
Starts 8 October 2024
10 weeks | October to December
Fees from £80
Tutor: Antony Rabin
Classroom course at South Kensington
This course is now full

Introduction to British Sign Language (BSL) is aimed at complete beginners in the language and is designed to give you the very basics of communicating in BSL. The course does not offer a formal qualification in British Sign Language, although once completed participants in the class might progress to more formal courses, such as BSL 1 at Imperial.

In this course, which is aimed at hearing people who want to start to learn BSL, we will discover the basics of communicating in BSL, in a practical, enjoyable and engaging way.

Topics covered in the classes include the following. This programme is indicative only and may be subject to modification.

  • Basic linguistic features of BSL
  • Greeting, numbers, times and dates, weather, people and activities
  • Personal introductions
  • Very basic everyday situations, incl. directions, telling the time and date
  • The history and culture of the British Deaf community

We will also learn about the British deaf community, looking at aspects of its diverse cultures and use of the language.

No previous knowledge of sign language or other language study is necessary. For the avoidance of any doubt, this is a taster BSL course for those who have not studied BSL previously, and have no prior experience of using BSL.

Class Recordings

These classes are not recorded

 

Attendance Certificate

 

Successful completion of this course leads to the award of an Imperial College attendance certificate

 

Terms and conditions apply to all enrolments to this course. Please read them before enrolment

Course Information

Your Tutor

Antony Rabin

What course level should I choose?

Choosing the right language level

This is a taster BSL course for those who have not studied BSL previously, and have no prior experience of using BSL.

Course Fees and Rate Categories
Weeks Standard Rate Internal Rate Associate Rate
 10 £134
 £80 £105
The fee rates quoted are for the whole 1-term course. No early bird rates available for this course. Part-payments are not possible

 

Rate Categories and Discounts


Standard Rate

  • Available to all except those who fall under the Internal Rate or Associate Rate category.

Internal Rate

  • Current Imperial College students and staff (incl. Imperial NHS Trust, Imperial Innovations, ancillary & service staff employed on long-term contracts at Imperial College by third-party contractors)
  • People enrolling under our Friends & Family scheme
  • Alumni of Imperial College and predecessor colleges and institutes, including City & Guilds College Association members
  • Students, staff and alumni of the Royal College of Art, Royal College of Music and City, UAL and the City and Guilds of London Art School
  • Students, staff and Governors of Woodhouse College and the IC Mathematics School

Associate Rate

  • Austrian Cultural Forum staff
  • Co-operative College members
  • Francis Crick Institute staff, researchers and students
  • Friends and Patrons of the English Chamber Orchestra
  • Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
  • Friends of Leighton House/ Sambourne House
  • Friends of the Royal College of Music
  • Harrods staff
  • Historic Royal Palaces staff
  • Lycee Charles de Gaulle staff
  • Members of the Friends of Imperial College
  • Members of the Kennel Club
  • Members of the London Zoological Society
  • Members of the South London Botanical Institute (SLBI)
  • Members of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
  • National Health Service (NHS) employees
  • Natural History Museum staff
  • Residents of postcodes SW3, SW5, SW7, SW10 and W8
  • Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council staff
  • Royal Geographical Society staff
  • Science Museum staff
  • Staff of Exhibition Road Cultural Group (Discover South Kensington) organisations
  • Students (non-Imperial College)
  • Teachers and other staff of UK schools
  • The American Institute for Foreign Study
  • Tutors and other staff of institution members of the Association of Colleges
  • Tutors and other staff of other universities and higher education institutions
  • Victoria and Albert Museum staff

Late enrolment

It is possible to enrol on many of our adult education courses after the course has already started. For non-language courses this is subject entirely to agreement by the tutor. For language courses it is subject to agreement by the language coordinator conducting level assessment. If you want to join a course late do bear in mind there might be work you will need to catch up on, particularly in language courses.

Friends and Family Scheme

This course is eligible for allowing Imperial College students and staff to share their discount with their friends and family.

Term Dates 2024-25
Weeks Autumn term Spring term Summer term
 10 Week commencing 7 October to week ending 14 December 2024* n/a n/a
*This is a 1-term course
Enrolment Process

Enrolment via the blue booking link is open. Early-bird discounts are available until the end of 30 September 2024

Enrolment and payment run through the Imperial College eStore. When enrolling:

  • Do check on the drop down menu above called "Course Fees and Rate Categories" to see if you are eligible for a discounted rate and also do make sure you select that rate when enrolling on the eStore
  • If you are a first-time eStore user you will need to create an account before enrolling. You can do this by entering an email address and password. This account can then be used for any future enrolments via the eStore.

When you have enrolled you will be sent the following email notifications:

What is sent When is it sent What does it contain
1. Payment confirmation Is sent straight away following submission of your online application
  • This is a receipt for your payment and includes payment date, order number and course title
  • Confirmation of your place on your chosen course will follow later as long as the course recruits enough students to run. If not you will receive a refund of your payment.
2. Enrolment confirmation Is usually sent within 10 working days. Please treat your payment confirmation as confirmation that your applicant details and payment have been received
  • Confirms your course choice
  • Shows your course's term dates
  • Confirms the day and time of your course
3. Programme information Is usually sent on Friday late afternoon the week before term starts
  • Contains joining instructions for your course, either online or in the classroom, depending on the course
 
  • If you need further help with the above information please ring 020 7594 8756 / +44 20 7594 8756.
  • All enrolments are provisional until the course is confirmed to run. This will be dependent on the course reaching the minimum number of enrolments.
  • All enrolments are subject to our Terms and Conditions. It is not possible to join one of our courses without agreeing to be bound by our Terms and Conditions.
Any Questions?

If you have any questions about the academic content or teaching of this course please contact the Course Tutor, Antony Rabin, thesignisright@gmail.com

If you have any questions about your enrolment or payment processes please contact the Programme Administrator, Christian Jacobi, eveningclass@imperial.ac.uk

Useful Links

Courses Now AvailableStudent HandbookFrequently Asked QuestionsJoin Our Mailing ListSci Comm Students' DiscountsStaff Information (Staff Use)

Contact us

Imperial after:hours Adult Education
Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication
Level 3 - Sherfield Building
Imperial College London
London SW7 2AZ
eveningclass@imperial.ac.uk
Tel. +44 20 7594 8756