Can you learn BSL entirely from an app?

Apps are excellent for building vocabulary and practising finger spelling, but they cannot replace interactive learning with a deaf tutor. BSL is a visual-spatial language with its own grammar, facial expressions, and cultural norms that are best learned through live conversation. Use apps as a supplement to a course or class, not as a replacement.

Are there free BSL courses available for parents of deaf children?

Yes. The National Deaf Children's Society offers free family sign language courses in many areas across the UK. These are specifically designed for parents, grandparents, and siblings of deaf children, and they cover everyday vocabulary and phrases relevant to family life. Check the NDCS website for courses near you, or ask your Teacher of the Deaf for local recommendations.

BSL Apps and Online Resources for Learning Sign Language

Whether you are just starting to learn BSL or looking for ways to practise between classes, the range of apps and online resources available has grown significantly in recent years. Here is a practical guide to what is out there and what is actually worth your time.

Learning British Sign Language as a family is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your deaf child's communication development. Our BSL for families guide covers the broader approach to making BSL part of daily life. This article focuses specifically on the digital tools and online learning platforms that can support that journey.

BSL Dictionary Apps

A good BSL dictionary app is the equivalent of having a phrasebook in your pocket. When you want to know the sign for a word, you look it up and watch a short video demonstration. These are not teaching tools in the traditional sense, but they are invaluable for quick reference.

BSL SignBank

This is a free online dictionary maintained by University College London. It contains video clips of thousands of individual signs, searchable by English word. The clips show the sign from multiple angles and include information about regional variations. It is the most comprehensive free BSL dictionary available and works well on mobile browsers, though there is no dedicated app.

BSL Dictionary App (by Eunice Sheridan)

A popular paid app available on iOS and Android. It covers over 5,000 signs with clear video demonstrations. The interface is straightforward and the videos are produced by deaf signers. It costs a one-off fee and does not require a subscription, which makes it good value for families who will use it regularly.

Signly

Signly takes a different approach. It uses augmented reality to overlay BSL translations onto printed text, books, and museum displays. While it is not a dictionary in the traditional sense, it is a clever way to access BSL content in real-world settings. The library of translated content is still growing.

Finger Spelling Practice

Finger spelling is the BSL manual alphabet, used for spelling out proper nouns, technical terms, and words that do not have established signs. It is one of the first things most learners tackle, and dedicated practice tools can help build speed and fluency.

BSL Finger Spelling (iOS/Android) provides timed quizzes and drills for both receptive (reading) and productive (signing) finger spelling. Free with optional premium features.
Finger Spell (iOS) focuses on receptive practice, showing animated hand shapes at increasing speed. Good for building recognition speed.

Online Courses

NDCS Family Sign Language Courses

The National Deaf Children's Society offers free courses specifically for families of deaf children. These run in person in many locations across the UK and cover practical, everyday vocabulary. The focus is on signs you will actually use with your child rather than working through a formal qualification syllabus. Ask your Teacher of the Deaf if courses are running near Croydon.

Signature Courses

Signature is the UK's leading awarding body for BSL qualifications. Their accredited courses run from Level 1 (introductory) to Level 6 (interpreter level). Many colleges and adult education centres offer Signature-accredited evening classes. Level 1 typically takes 20 to 30 weeks and covers basic conversational BSL, finger spelling, and an introduction to Deaf culture. Costs range from 200 to 500 pounds, though some local authorities subsidise fees for parents of deaf children.

British Sign (britishsign.co.uk)

An online platform offering structured BSL lessons via video. The courses follow a progression from beginner to advanced and include quizzes and revision tools. It is subscription-based and offers a free trial. The content is clear and well-produced, though like all online courses, it lacks the interactive practice that a live class provides.

Deaf Academy Online

Several deaf-led organisations offer online courses through platforms like Zoom. The advantage is real-time interaction with a deaf tutor and other learners, which is closer to the experience of an in-person class. Search for "online BSL classes deaf tutor" to find current offerings. Prices and quality vary, so look for courses taught by qualified deaf tutors.

YouTube Channels

YouTube is a rich source of free BSL content. The quality varies enormously, so look for channels run by deaf presenters with clear signing and good production values.

BSL Zone — Produced by the British Deaf Association, this channel features a wide range of BSL content including storytelling, news, and educational material. It is primarily for BSL users rather than learners, but watching fluent signers is valuable at any level.
Commanding Hands — Specifically designed for families with deaf children. The videos cover everyday vocabulary, nursery rhymes, and practical phrases for family life. Run by deaf presenters with a warm, accessible style.
BSL with Jade — A deaf BSL tutor who posts regular vocabulary and grammar lessons. Her content is well structured and progresses from beginner to intermediate topics.

Free vs Paid: What Is Worth the Money?

You can build a solid foundation in BSL using entirely free resources: SignBank for vocabulary, YouTube for demonstrations, NDCS family courses for structured learning, and finger spelling apps for practice. Where paid resources add value is in structured progression (knowing what to learn next) and interactive practice (getting feedback on your signing).

If your budget allows one paid investment, a Signature Level 1 course with a deaf tutor is the best value. It provides systematic learning, cultural context, and the interactive practice that apps and videos cannot replicate. Everything else can be supplemented with free resources.

Tips for Consistent Learning

The biggest challenge with learning any language is maintaining momentum. A few strategies that families find helpful:

Set a daily signing time, even if it is just five minutes at the dinner table
Use a "sign of the day" approach: learn one new sign each morning and use it throughout the day
Involve siblings. Children often pick up signs faster than adults and can motivate each other
Watch BSL content together as a family, the same way you might watch a programme in another language
Attend deaf events and social gatherings where BSL is used, so you see the language in its natural context

For families exploring the broader question of how to approach communication with their deaf child, our communication options resource discusses the different approaches and how they work in practice. And if you are interested in how technology supports deaf children more broadly, our technology guide covers the full range of tools available.