How to learn BSL on the cheap?

Avocado

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Mandymull

just a query, why are you using BSL....is someone in the family deaf? or is it to communicate with your baby. Sorry but your post doesnt make it clear to ME....If the person has a learning disabilty than Makaton is best for communication......sorry ofr the question

Naf

Signature are the UK's BSL training/examination body.
I'm currently taking a basic course, cost me £110 for 11 lessons, and the Signature exam is an optional additional £40, bit only really necessary for those wishing to take it further to interpretation. My best suggestion is to either search through Signature's website, or try and find a local deaf association (or something).
I'm originally from Carlisle, and the headquarters of the British Deaf Association used to be there, so when I took my first course 3 years ago, they were great, offered a discount for those on Tax Credits too. However, I've since found it difficult to know what the current situation is with the BDA/Signature is, recognised courses etc. I'd reccomend contacting the BDA directly, they should have info about local courses, and particularly how to get he kids on them.

Prinzessilein

Some colleges offer courses in BSL. These may be free, or there may be concessions available.

If you don't know the sign for someone's name then can you finger-spell the names?

The signing on TV is likely to be accurate. However, if you are watching an American programme then they will be using ASL (American Sign language) which is totally different to BSL....Also, BSL is a living language with dialect terms. It may be that when you were told the TV signing was inaccurate it was simmply that they were using dialect terms not used in your part of the country.

DomRavioli

Unless there is a medical need, you're not likely to find anyone running courses for free. Why not speak to your local Deaf Society branch, if you have one, to see if they will teach you in return for some volunteering at the centre?

formaldehyde_perfume

As someone else suggested, I think Makaton is something you should look in to http://www.makaton.org/

Mandymull

its makaton that is used for young babies not BSL.....hth.

Doom_and_Gloom

Baby sign, or makaton as it is known (I believe), and BSL are different. When doing my BSL level 1 last college year there were some people in my class that taught at a school that used makaton and they said how frustrating it was that how some signs for makaton and BSL were very different and they were not allowed to use the BSL sign where they worked.
If you want to use BSL then great but keep in mind that if you change to BSL you could confuse your child if they are used to a different sign for something. Saying this there are different signs for different areas - I live in Kent for example so I was taught the signs used 'down south' these can be different from those taught 'up north' - some are little differences but some are vast!

If all you want is the odd BSL signs for things look on the internet. BSL alaphabet, signs for different greetings, numbers, food, drinks, animals, colours etc can be found very easily - youtube is your friend! There are even videos of nursery rhymes in BSL to be found . I wouldn't trust it too much for complete sentances (sp?). 'My name is...' I would but more complex than that find someone who teaches it.