If this is your first visit, check out the community guide. You will have to Join us or Sign in before you can post.
Why you should learn sign language

Today, 23rd September, is International Day of Sign Languages. This has been marked by the United Nation with the aim to promote sign language.

Around 50,000 people in the UK use British Sign Language. Yet why isn't BSL taught in schools? With 97% of young people in support of BSL being a GCSE, it's surprising that this isn't the case.
The International Day of Sign Languages is an unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.
In 2020, the World Federation of the Deaf is issuing a Global Leaders Challenge.
This challenge aims to promote the use of sign languages by local, national, and global leaders in partnership with national associations of deaf people in each country, as well as other deaf-led organisations.
In 2020, the World Federation of the Deaf is issuing a Global Leaders Challenge.
This challenge aims to promote the use of sign languages by local, national, and global leaders in partnership with national associations of deaf people in each country, as well as other deaf-led organisations.

Do you know sign language?
Despite only knowing the basics, I can't say I'm very good at British Sign Language (BSL). However, there have been numerous times where I have been able to help someone as a result of my limited knowledge.Around 50,000 people in the UK use British Sign Language. Yet why isn't BSL taught in schools? With 97% of young people in support of BSL being a GCSE, it's surprising that this isn't the case.
BSL was recognised as a language in its own right by the UK government in 2003.
Whilst it is not a mandatory part of the curriculum, schools are free to teach it if they choose to do so.
We recognise and acknowledge that British Sign Language can be a beneficial subject that schools can choose to teach.
However, in 2018 there was breakthrough in the Right to Sign campaign, with the government agreeing that BSL would be a GCSE before 2022. So I guess we will have to wait and see!Whilst it is not a mandatory part of the curriculum, schools are free to teach it if they choose to do so.
We recognise and acknowledge that British Sign Language can be a beneficial subject that schools can choose to teach.
Where can I learn sign language?
There are actually a lot of ways that you can learn BSL online or through a course. Here are some of the ways you can pick up the basics:
- Introducing British Sign Language (online course)
- Free online resources to learn BSL
- School of Sign Language
- British Sign Language dictionary (search the word or phase you want to learn to view a video)
- BSL picture dictionary (look up words to view a picture explaining the sign)
Do you have any experiences to share? Should everyone be taught sign language? What sign will you learn today? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Community Partner
Scope
Tell us what you think?
Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.
Scope
Tell us what you think?
Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.
Replies
Want to tell us about your experience on the community? Talk to our chatbot here and let us know what you think
Want to tell us about your experience on the community? Talk to our chatbot here and let us know what you think
I agree it would be a useful aid for most people to have and would make us all better together.
Want to tell us about your experience on the community? Talk to our chatbot and let us know.
Want to tell us about your experience on the community? Talk to our chatbot and let us know.
Thank you for sharing this, I wish we had had the opportunity to learn BSL at school. I have just started to learn the basics as I hope that this will enable me to help others. Thank you.
Scope
Tell us what you think?
Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.