Free · Lead resource

Welcome to Level 1 British Sign Language — yours free.

Our complete Level 1 starter guide, written by Deaf tutors. The alphabet, your first everyday signs, BSL grammar basics and how to practise so it sticks. No cost, no catch — just your name, email and phone number.

Full Level 1 course guide (PDF)
Fingerspelling alphabet reference
First 50 everyday signs
Practice plan for your first month

Download the free course ›See paid courses

Instant access · PDF · Deaf‑led and BSSL‑aligned

The free Welcome to Level 1 British Sign Language guide

£0

Free download

More resources

Keep learning between lessons.

Podcasts, articles, webinars, expert walkthroughs, ebooks and case studies — all made by Deaf educators, all free to use.

Podcasts

Conversations with Deaf educators, interpreters and learners.

Two people signing to each other across a table with studio microphones

Signing Out Loud — Ep. 1: Why Deaf‑led matters

38 min · Kwame Afrik

Deaf awareness workshop taking place in a community hall

Interpreting the workplace

44 min · with a working BSL interpreter

Kwame Afrik teaching a Deaf awareness session outdoors

Raising a signing family

31 min · parent panel

Articles

Short reads on grammar, culture and learning technique.

BSL grammar isn't English word order

6 min read

Close‑up of two people signing across a table

Ten habits that make you easier to sign with

4 min read

Close‑up of hands forming a British Sign Language sign

BSSL and BSL: what's the difference?

5 min read

Webinars

Live and recorded sessions, free to join.

Laptop showing a live webinar video call of people signing

Deaf awareness for employers

60 min · recorded

Learner taking a live online BSL lesson at home

Choosing your first BSL level

45 min · monthly, live

Instructor's hand demonstrating a sign language handshape

Fingerspelling clinic

30 min · recorded

Expert walkthroughs

Slow, close‑up breakdowns of the signs learners find hardest.

Close‑up of a tutor demonstrating a sign handshape

Placement and role shift, step by step

Video · 18 min

Hands signing numbers in British Sign Language

Numbers, dates and money

Video · 12 min

Two learners practising signs face to face

Facial grammar you can't skip

Video · 15 min

Ebooks

Downloadable guides you can keep and print.

Stack of printed learning guides beside a tablet showing an ebook

Welcome to Level 1 BSL — the free course guide

Free download · PDF · featured above

100 workplace signs

PDF · coming soon

Learner studying British Sign Language at home

A parent's first 50 signs

PDF · coming soon

Case studies

What changed for the schools and teams we've trained.

A Brighton primary school goes signing

Deaf awareness · 4 hours

Small team learning sign language together in an office

Front‑of‑house team, Lewes

Deaf awareness + Level 1

From Level 1 to Signature Level 3

Learner story

Start with the free Level 1 ebook.

Download the free course ›Browse courses & training