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My name is Sabina and I have been learning to sign for just under a year. I've always been interested in sign language as I've always thought its such a unique, beautiful way to communicate between people. I would currently say that my signing level is probably around mid level 1. Its been a bit hard to improve my signing skills as I can't drive and my closest learning centre can't be accessed without a car. However, I would love to improve my signing skills and would love to practice with people who have more experience working in the deaf community and more experience signing. If anyone is looking for a signing partner and you are willing to do Skype or Zoom practise signing sessions, I would really like for us to work together.

Hi, my name's Kelly, and I completed BSL Level 1 before Christmas and am now partway through Level 2. I first learnt some sign language about 20 years ago (BSL Level 1 at evening classes at college), but then life got in the way so it's taken me a while to start again! I love how expressive BSL is, and am hoping to use it for a job in the future. The problem I have at the minute is that I'm learning online, because my nearest centre to learn in person is 40 miles away, so I have an online tutor for my course who I have regular tutorials with, but don't have anyone else to practice with - is there anyone out there at Level 2 who would like to set up a Zoom or Skype from time to time, to get more practice in? Have a good day 🙂

Hi my name is Chelsea and I am a teaching assistant at a secondary school. I have started the introduction to BSL with some students at the end of the day due to our interest in learning to BSL

I have just signed up to an online course to learn BSL, I was inspired by Rose on Strictly Come Dancing and feel it would be great to communicate with people who have difficulty in hearing.

HI, my name is Nikki and I have started to learn sign language for both to help in my Job but also personal life. I have grandchildren that have learning difficulties and are starting to learn sign language. For my Profession I work in the NHS as a Radiology Department assistant in cross sectional imaging, which is CT and MRI. I have always wanted to learn but now it will come in handy especially at the moment with having to wear masks all the time while in the hospital, I am hoping this will make my patients more comfortable as I will be able to speak with them.

My grandson is mute and I always signed "non speaking". However someone told me the sign for mute is......holding a flat palm i facing inwards infront of mouth and pulling it slowly across mouth to the left side. Palm remainder open the whole time. Hope this helps.

I really liked reading your poem! It's a talent I lack myself haha, although my signing is not very distinct, it felt alright to read some content in sign to get my eyes used to reading face/hand movements! take care Sue!

That's great to hear Helen, welcome to the sign language forum! I hope we can help you develop your sign language skills!

Hey thepolyglotlion! I don't know of any sort of sign that indicates said person is mute, you could do "Me not speak" or such other things, I couldn't find any dictionary search for "Mute". If there's a word you don't know the sign for, always finger-spell it so whoever you're signing with catches what you're trying so say. Hope I could help

Hi Juliana......It starts off Hello BSL friends. Hope you like my poem. Lockdown soon be over, Everyone sing and dance. Meeting friends and family, Celebrations in the park. Sun brings hope and happiness. Tears have gone away. Good months in the future. Here time has passed ...Horray!!! Sadly since this poem was written we are still not out off the woods!!!!:) x Hope this helps

Hello, I started learning sign language when I had Covid because it is something I have always wanted to learn. I thought it would be and amazing skill to have as I am a student nurse and would love to be able to communicate better with my patients with hearing difficulties. I am very excited to be able to have a conversation with something in BSL.

Hi, I have started learning BSL as the mum of one of my sons friends is deaf. They have just stared in reception and the mum and one of her friends goes in to the class once a week to teach the children some BSL. I felt awful I could not communicate anything more than Hello when at school so have signed up to learn. Really enjoying it.

I’m a beginner and found it I could understand quite a bit of your poem . It helped to hear it too so I could check if I got it right ! Thanks 🙏

Hi everyone, my name is Flo. I work as a teaching assistant in a special education school and in my time there, I picked up some basic Makaton which I use every day with the children so I thought I would go one step further and start learning BSL. Makaton is so helpful and fun for lots of the children and helps them to feel included so I would love to be able to communicate with more people once I have learned BSL. This will be my 3rd language as I am also learning Japanese too! Thank you for reading.

Wow, how adictive is this! Started learning two days ago and wishing I'd started years ago. This game is so much fun and also a very clever idea. I'm starting to pick up words a lot faster but nowhere near the top scorers.... You know who you are Any tips please share....

Our next free BSL class at our Training Centre in London is on Saturday 5th February - 10am - 12pm. If you would like to attend, please do by emailing [email protected] or call 0207 269 2621 to book your place. To find out more about the taster, please click: https://remark.uk.com/bsltaster/ #LearnBritishSignLanguage #BSL #RemarkTraining #BritishSignLanguage #SignLanguage

There are no courses where I work, which I find strange as I work in health care. We do get Deaf / deaf patients quite frequently and I've always thought, "I should make an effort," so I did (or am doing). Really enjoying too. Good luck with your lessons.

Job Title: In-house BSL Teacher Location: Central London Salary: £28k pro rata Accountable to: Service Manager Hours: Part time (30 hours a week, 3 days 11am-9pm) Deadline: Friday 28th January 2022 Interviews: w/c Monday 31st January 2022 If you are interested in this position, please email your covering letter including salary expectations and CV to: Natalie Taylor: [email protected] About Remark! Remark! is an innovative and exciting Deaf-led organisation. We take pride in the fact BSL is part of our everyday working culture and is ingrained into our working practice. • Remark! Training – providing outstanding BSL Training from Level 1 to full interpreter status, including refresher and CPD workshops, mentoring and Deaf awareness training to clients Overall Purpose of the Job We are looking for a new teacher due to a surge in demand. The teacher’s principal role is to focus on BSL teaching and providing outstanding guidance and support for students in a positive and inspiring learning culture. This will be predominately evening classes and/or weekends. The teacher will also be required to cover other courses such as Deaf Awareness Training and bespoke company training. Key responsibilities Reporting to the Service Manager, your key role will be to: 1) Deliver one or all of the following training courses to be held at Remark! Training or remotely via Zoom: · Signature BSL Level 3 · Signature BSL Level 6 · Deaf Awareness Training · Bespoke company training/BSL Tasters · BSL Level 1 and 2 (if required) 2) Maintain a clear and organised record of student files. These must be updated after any correspondence held with student(s). 3) Make every effort to accommodate independent students and create all required documents. 4) Fulfil the role of BSL Teacher, maintaining a close working relationship with the course administrators with efficiency and accuracy including uploading assessments to the Signature portal. 5) Prepare the students and administrators for any course assessments. 6) Support students with additional tutorials where necessary providing constructive feedback in the tutorial. 7) Ensure all Assessments are completed and submitted accurately on the specified assessment date. 😎 Maintain a good, supportive and constructive relationship with students with genuine interest for their wellbeing and progression within the classroom. 9) Ensure teaching resources evolve and reflect current affairs and developments in BSL to coincide with the development of Remark! teaching materials. 10) Assist on any other Training-related tasks as instructed by the Services Manager and to support the smooth operation of the Training Division for Remark!. Accountability The post-holder is responsible for individual performance objectives agreed with the line-manager, and in relation to the performance and function of the Training Division itself (to be agreed in appraisals). Strict confidentiality is required in the nature of this job and this forms part of the accountability and evaluation for the success of the role. Person Specification Essential • Qualified teacher (DTTLS/PGCE/PCET) • BSL Level 6 qualification • Native BSL user • Ability to teach BSL Level 1, 2, 3 • Knowledge of teaching and the ability to create lessons • Excellent communication skills • Knowledge of English language • Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations • Flexible and open to change • Basic knowledge of technology such as Microsoft Office, for example PowerPoint and Zoom • Ability to follow and implement Remark! Training systems into work • Ability to work alone and part of a team • Positive attitude Desirable • Ability to teach BSL Level 6 and/or willingness to attend training http://remark.uk.com/workwithus/

Hello I'm Natalien I've wanted to learn sign language for sometime now but could never get on a course at work. Then I was made redundant and decided to learn at home. Joining a new company staff, inappropriate towards a deaf person because they can't hear no need to say any that annoyed me so I was more determined to show you can communicate.

Hi all, I'm new to learning BSL and am looking forward to connecting with you all. Im an actor and I live on the Kent Coast. I have recently made a few new friends who are part of the deaf community and working in theatre have seen how sign language can enhance story telling as well as making it more access able, so i thought its about time I learnt more!

Hi, I'm Jo and have today starting learning BSL. My brother is deaf and as a child I wanted to learn BSL but as my brother never learned, it just never happened. He has always got by using lip reading. After completing my Teaching Assistant course last year, and watching the amazing Rose on Strictly I decided to go for it. I also figured it could be a valuable skill as a TA.

How old were you when you began to sign

Definitely! Test each other on the basics, get to practice actually reading signs/looking at faces, and peer pressure each other into not quitting 😛 If it's just us newbies we might end up with some bad practices, but I imagine we'll end up with a pro sooner or later who can show us how it's done (or join some bigger group, London's gotta have plenty)!