Sign Language - where to start?

[ooItsAoBeautifulDayNow]

For various reasons I'd love to invest my time (and of course funds!) in learning sign language - initial research has shown that here in the UK it's suggested that you can learn BSL or ASL?!

However I always assumed they are very different (as i would with any other languages!) so as I'm based here it would make much more sense for me to learn BSL in order to be able to engage with the most people using sign language?

Any guidance on BSL definitely being the right choice if based in the UK would be great.

Basically any trusted sources for learning BSL would be really useful as of course they all say they're great themselves!

I am also likely to be learning remotely due to disability so any particular ideas / learning providers you feel could accommodate this would be brilliant - thanks loads in advance.

I could obviously have started by not putting a typo in my subject - I obviously mean SIGN language - @MNHQ are you able to help asap so I can get the wisdom of mumsnetters on this? Thank you x

This might be a starting point: www.ndcs.org.uk/information-and-support/language-and-communication/sign-language/learning-bsl

Also search for any Deaf charities close to you, they sometimes run courses. As do some local colleges

Best of luck!

My local adult education centre offers BSL courses but these don't sound suitable for you. Have you tried contacting the BDA as they may be able to advise?

I use Makaton so have no real life experience of BSL but this has enabled me to communicate effectively with people from the deaf community. I have friend who has been deaf from birth and has found gaining her BSL qualification (level 3 I believe) very challenging, and this is her first language. This is not meant to put you off, just to let you know it is challenging, especially as the grammar is different.

Thanks so much @AlwaysColdHands really appreciate your help. Local colleges in particular is something I hadn't thought of - thank you 🙏🏻

Forgot to say I hope you find a suitable course.

@2ofstedsin24weeksistakingthep No worries that's really useful info and happy to hear anyone say to be cautious / what might be too ambitious etc

Will look into all suggestions, thanks for taking the time to help :)

Definitely BSL in the UK, and a course in person to start with - Signature Level 1,takes a year of evening classes, quicker if you do it during the day.
Loads of resources online now to help - BSLzone is a key one.

Thanks so much for your additional advice, really appreciate it

Signature and IBSL are the course providers for BSL so look on their websites for courses near you.
ASL is American Sign Language so not very useful in Britain.

Thanks so much that's fab help @TheDrsDocMartens
Ps love your name!