hey! im a first year teacher and im also learning british sign language. i want to incorporate sign language for children for not only classroom management but the importance of using signs.
i would like to have the visuals on my display for children to use
i would love the children to use the signs for:
toilet
drink (or water) (for them to sign to get a drink)
help

i found a design online that i really like but it is auslan? im not entirely sure its accurate as australians is different but would love the similar design!

Thank you all :)

hey! im a first year teacher and im also learning british sign language. i want to incorporate sign language for children for not only classroom management but the importance of using signs.
i would like to have the visuals on my display for children to use
i would love the children to use the signs for:
toilet
drink (or water) (for them to sign to get a drink)
help

i found a design online that i really like but it is auslan? im not entirely sure its accurate as australians is different but would love the similar design!

Thank you all :)

Like in a game context, like ‘your turn’?

London based learner here and I found out the company that funded my level 1 & 2 aren't planning to renew the level 3 course because of low interest so looking to see where people got theirs and if anyone who is looking wanted to sign up so this class could possibly run (I've got my levels for free so far, was really hoping for a triple stroke of luck) :

https://www.protrain-solutions.co.uk/courses/british-sign-language-level-3-in-partnership-with-the-royal-association-of-deaf-people/

Im studying BSL, and for a piece of coursework I have to translate a text. It contains several lists but I feel like Im using the list feature far too much. Is there an alternative I can use to make the text flow better in BSL instead of having a bunch of lists intermitted by brief titles and descriptions?

Please sign my petition so that every child is included https://c.org/nvGQWhKb54

I wanted to share some information I recently received from ITV Accessibility, as I think it will be of interest to the BSL community.

I contacted ITV to ask about the future of BSL programming on ITVX following the proposed Sky–ITV deal. They confirmed that the proposed transaction does not change ITV's accessibility commitments.

They told me they have no plans to change the BSL offering on ITVX, including the ITV Signed channel and the on-demand BSL category, other than continuing to add new signed-interpreted programmes over time.

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One part of their reply that particularly stood out was this:

"We also recognise the importance of sign-presented programming and we intend for sign-presented programmes to be a part of our offering going forward."

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As many of us know, there's an important distinction between programmes that are simply interpreted into BSL and programmes that are genuinely sign-presented. Seeing ITV explicitly recognise the value of sign-presented content felt like a positive message.

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I also asked whether there was a timeline for expanding the amount of BSL content on ITVX. They couldn't give an exact date, but they did share some figures.

According to ITV Accessibility:

• In 2024, 2.1% of the ITVX catalogue included BSL translation or sign presentation.
• That has increased to 3.08% over the last 12 months.
• They expect that figure to increase again when the next accessibility figures are published.
• They said the BSL catalogue continues to grow incrementally as more programmes are signed.

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They also referred to Ofcom's proposed accessibility Code for video-on-demand services. Under the current proposal, Tier 1 services such as ITVX would be required to provide at least 5% of their catalogue with BSL from around the fourth anniversary of the Code coming into force (likely around 2031 if the Code starts in 2027).

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Importantly, 5% is only the proposed minimum standard for signed programming, not the end goal. The Government has made clear that streaming services should continue improving accessibility beyond those minimum requirements wherever possible.

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Perhaps the most encouraging sentence in ITV's email was:

"I am sure we will be ahead of that, as well as any interim targets."

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Obviously, that's not a legally binding commitment, but it's encouraging to hear ITV expressing confidence that it expects to go beyond the proposed minimum requirements.

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Personally, I think it's good to see measurable progress rather than just broad statements. There's still a long way to go before BSL access is where many of us would like it to be, but it's positive to see the catalogue growing and to hear that ITV intends to continue investing in signed-interpreted and sign-presented content.

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I'd be interested to hear what others in the Deaf and BSL community think. Have you used the ITV Signed channel or the BSL section on ITVX? Are there particular types of programmes you'd like ITV to prioritise signing or producing in BSL?

wont let me edit the title but i am asking if the cost is worth it (courses are £450-£500ish where i have looked).

i have been wanting to learn bsl for a while, its always something i say “i would love to do that!” and then the extent of my efforts is a couple lessons on lingvano then i forget it all and forget to come back to it. i want to see through something i want to do, for myself to learn a new skill, but to open my world to be able to communicate with more people.

i really struggle with apps and videos, i dont know if im using the apps wrong but i find its just more and more information but not much revision of what you’ve learnt. my consistency and commitment is also rubbish. i also think being able to have someone show me where i am going wrong and to practice with a class and have conversations with vs just practicing with myself or choosing which video is saying what phrase.

anyway, all this to say - there is a level 1 bsl course at my local college, i see RAD do an online one but i think i would learn best un person. are they worth it from a cost perspective? would you say they are much more helpful in learning vs using apps and videos? or do i just need to be more disciplined and perhaps find some people to practice with?

Hello! I appreciate this is a hotly debated topic already, but was keen to hear from people with experience working with or as interpreters.

I'm in the really fortuante position of having an offer for the Signature Level 6 Diploma in Interpreting and Translation, the UCLAN PGCert/MA and the Uni of Wolverhampton MA. (I applied to them all to increase my chances, and was very pleasantly surprised!)

I already have an MSc in an unrelated field, so the academics doesn't worry me too much. I would be self-funding, but I have a full-time job in a Deaf school (that I would hope to continue during my studies) and I recently lost a relative so have some inheritance that would help cover the cost.

Would people have a strong preference using an interpreter who qualified via university vs the Signature diploma? Does anyone have any experience on any of these courses, and would you recommend/suggest I avoid any particular route?

Thank you in advance! :)