I want to learn British Sign Language for free!

george1234567_2

Title says it all really! I want to learn British Sign Language for free. I dont want to join a class or group, as I just want to learn in my own time, when I'm not at University, just as a hobby/interest:rolleyes:

All of the "teach yourself" type things seem to cost money, even on a subscription type plan sometimes!

Basically I want a website or something which I can learn the basics from, if its at all possible:p

inamabilis

So do I!

I've started with this website for the basics.

http://www.britishsignlanguage.com/

Good Luck

lala1974

Hi, I've been thinking about doing it for ages too. This is a great starter.

george1234567_2

inamabilis wrote: »

So do I!

I've started with this website for the basics.

http://www.britishsignlanguage.com/

Good Luck

Thanks, I tried that website, but it seems to me like trying to learn French by reading a French dictionary! I thought there were "grammatical" type parts to BSL, to make sentences and actions shorter?

Edit: from the site about sentence construction: "The phrase below is shown as an example, the remainder are available on our CD"

moneylover

Look at your library's catalogue. Most will have dvds of BSL available rent - learning DVDs are usually a longish hire.
Or ring RNID to see if they know of free or cheap courses

Nabbie

Please visit at www bslsmile com/signingtree.aspx - nothing to pay! :-)

wolfehouse

i asked the rnid this question and all they advised were expensive courses via this company (signature). my dd is studying with another new company but it is expensive.
my work has had a free class as they were trying to give a better service to disabled people. otherwise it is only freebie beginner lessons etc.
there are clubs for deaf people about where they may be happy to have a learner join in (and practice signing).

'You can search for courses in your area on the Signature website using their ‘Find a centre’ search facility. Please click on the link below and enter your postcode to search for courses in your area:

http://www.cacdp.org.uk/portal/centre_finder

Signature is the UK awarding body and registered charity, who aims to improve communication between deaf and hearing people. Courses leading to Signature qualifications are provided at over 850 colleges and other centres around the UK. For further information about Signature please use the contact details below:

Signature
Mersey House
Mandale Business Park
Belmont
Durham
DH1 1TH

Telephone: 0191 383 1155
Text phone: 0191 383 7915
Fax: 0191 383 7914
Email: durham@signature.org.uk
Website: www.signature.org.uk

Nicola.Rae

try this website for some basic I started off here and it really helped it also gives you videos and comments to help you. which also means you can learn at your own pace xx good luck x:):):)

zigowa

Thanks very much, have always wanted to learn something like this!

harmony1307

Hi I have been learning BSL for many years and would like to pass on some tips.

1st BSL is a very visual language and needs to be learned through seeing, if trying to learn yourself it needs to be from videos rather than still images as they can easily be misinterpreted.

2nd Deaf people do have clubs where they socialise, some maybe happy to have hearing people come, however most do not want someone that knows very little sign coming just to learn from them. They feel used instead of socialising they are teaching and this then makes it more difficult for other hearing people to go as they believe everyone just wants to use them.

3rd here are a few sites I have found useful:
You can watch some TV with sign on iPlayer and other listings
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/tv/categories/signed
bslbt.co.uk/programmes

Have a good look on youtube their are some great videos. One inspiring person is high level but great to watch
youtube.com/user/LeesBSLsongs?feature=watch
hope this helps

P.S I have taken off (www) from web addresses as I am a new user it would not let me post with urls

DanniBayliss92

I have recently started in a college where there is a deaf girl in my class. I get on with her really well, and we text, and talk over the internet on a regular basis. I will hopefully be able to use these websites in order to gain a bit of knowledge about sign language so i am able to communicate with her while i am in college
thank you for your input guys