Training at NDS
At Nottinghamshire Deaf Society (NDS), we offer a wide range of British Sign Language (BSL) training options. They start with our introductory Taster Sessions and Introduction to BSL courses – available throughout the year – and progress all the way through to Signature-accredited BSL Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 courses.
We also offer tailored training solutions for businesses and organisations, and all of our training is available both online and face-to-face to accommodate different needs and preferences.
The best way to learn BSL is from those with lived experience.
That’s why all of our BSL tutors are profoundly deaf and are first-language BSL users. We’re proud to have instructors who bring both professional expertise and lived experience of deafness and deaf culture. This enables them to teach not only the language itself, but also the rich culture and history behind it. This is essential in creating an authentic learning environment and enriching the experience for our students.
Learn BSL in person, with deaf tutors to support you:
- See signs, hand movements, and facial expressions more clearly.
- Get instant help and feedback if you make a mistake.
- Practise real conversations to build confidence and understanding.
- Learn from deaf tutors about deaf culture and using BSL in daily life.
- Join a fun learning experience that helps you stay motivated.
Deaf Awareness and BSL Taster
Our Deaf Awareness and BSL Taster Course is perfect for anyone wanting to learn the basics of communicating with deaf people and get a feel for what British Sign Language is all about. Whether you’re considering learning BSL long-term or just curious to understand the basics, this 3-hour course is the perfect introduction. Taught by our highly qualified deaf tutors, it provides a snapshot of the language and culture, giving you a strong foundation to build on if you decide to pursue further study.
The course is interactive, engaging, and designed to give you a taste of the key concepts of Deaf Awareness and BSL. Whether you’re learning for personal interest or professional development, the taster course will leave you with a deeper understanding of the language and a desire to learn more.
Signature BSL Levels 1, 2, and 3
If you’re looking for accredited qualifications and a structured path to learning BSL, our Signature BSL Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 courses are designed for you. These courses are recognised nationwide and provide an official qualification in British Sign Language, allowing you to demonstrate your skills and knowledge in a professional context.
We offer these qualifications in both daytime and evening classes, taught face-to-face in the heart of Nottingham’s deaf community. Whether you’re looking to develop your BSL skills for personal reasons, work, or to communicate with deaf friends or family, these accredited courses provide a comprehensive learning experience.
These courses are aimed at individuals who would like to learn BSL because:
- they work with, or aspire to work with, deaf service users
- they have deaf colleagues, friends or family
- they simply wish to learn a new skill
Using a variety of resources, teaching methods and activities, these qualifications will give learners the ability and confidence to communicate with deaf people in a range of situations.
All our courses follow Signature’s qualification specification to ensure all course material is covered, and we have a team of highly experienced tutors and support staff. Our results have been consistently above the national average, demonstrating that our tutors deliver the highest quality of teaching.
For more details about our Signature BSL courses, please visit:
Current Prices
£470 + £110 for Assessment Fees.
Direct Debit Payment Plan:
- Initial Deposit £250
- Followed by 6 monthly payments of £55
£623 + £172 for Assessment Fees.
Direct Debit Payment Plan:
- Initial Deposit £375
- Followed by 6 monthly payments of £70
£1,184 + £171 for Assessment Fees
Direct Debit Payment Plan:
- Initial Deposit £655
- Followed by 7 monthly payments of £100
Prices current at 30th September 2025
Training for organisations
In addition to individual training courses, we also offer bespoke Corporate Deaf Awareness and BSL Training for businesses, organisations and schools. If your workplace interacts with deaf clients, service users or staff, providing BSL training is a great way to improve accessibility and inclusivity within your company.
We can tailor the training to suit your specific needs, whether you need a short 3-hour session or a more in-depth course.
Our corporate BSL training covers practical communication topics such as:
- meeting and greeting in BSL
- fingerspelling and exchanging basic information
- understanding common signs for family, weather, and other essential topics
- customised vocabulary for specific workplace settings
By incorporating relevant workplace terms and scenarios, we ensure that the training will be directly applicable to your environment. You can choose to receive this training as a stand-alone course or combine it with our Deaf Awareness Training, which will further help your staff understand deaf culture and the specific needs of deaf service users.
Our corporate training can be delivered either face-to-face or online.
Depending on your company’s preference and availability, we can provide flexible delivery times to fit your schedule, making it easier to access high-quality training for your team.
Why choose us?
- Our commitment to quality
We’re proud to deliver excellent training through our highly qualified team of tutors – all of whom are deaf and use BSL as their first language. Their deep understanding of the language, culture and community ensures each class is taught with expertise and passion.
- Our BSL courses are taught in small groups
You’ll have opportunities to work in pairs and on a one-to-one basis with the tutor. This creates a positive environment where you can feel confident and supported in your learning journey.
- We increase deaf awareness and BSL access
In addition to our BSL courses, we offer bespoke deaf awareness and BSL taster courses tailored to meet the specific needs of organisations and businesses. Whether you’re a private company, public service or charity, our training will help you to develop a deeper understanding of deaf culture and communication barriers – plus how to improve accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Our aim is to help organisations provide better, more inclusive services, ensuring that deaf individuals can access the same opportunities as their hearing peers.
Book your course
At NDS, we’re committed to empowering individuals and organisations with the tools they need to communicate inclusively and effectively. Whether you’re learning BSL to support a deaf friend, colleague or customer, or you’re taking your skills to a professional level with one of our accredited courses, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Start your journey to better communication today! For more information or to book your course, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at training@nottsdeaf.org.uk.