If you want to become a British Sign Language interpreter and are unsure of how to get started, you’re in the right place. Here you will learn why British sign language interpreters are more important than ever before, the best way to kickstart your career, and the best courses you can take to become a verified BSL interpreter.
According to the RNID, there are 12 million adults in the UK who are deaf or have hearing loss. British Sign Language is vital for communicating with the British d/Deaf community and interpreting acts as the gateway.
The best courses
All British Sign Language interpreting courses are accredited by Signature: British Sign Language (BSL) awarding body: Signature
Level 1 covers an introduction to BSL for healthcare, young people, and frontline staff.
Level 2 covers everyday conversation, eating and drinking, spending and shopping and finally travel and hospital.
Level 3 includes home life, social activities, education & training, employment, consumer issues and daily living, and finally, Deaf history and culture.
Level 4 includes employment and business, education, health and wellbeing, society and technology and finally media and culture
Finally jumping to level 6, the course content is broken up into 2 parts.
The first part is more theory-based:
- Analyse and evaluate key theories and principles in interpreting and translation
- Maintain skills and systems for interpreting and translation tasks
- Prepare for interpreting and translation assignments
- Plan and implement continuous professional development
Part 2 covers particle interpreting skills such as:
- Interpret between spoken and signed language
- Interpret between two signed languages
- Interpret within the same signed language
- Translate between a written and a signed language
Learning outcomes include:
- Carry out interpreting tasks as a professional interpreter
- Work as part of a team of professional interpreters and translators
- Use technology effectively to perform remote interpreting assignments
- Carry out translation tasks as a professional translator
- Evaluate performance as a professional interpreter or translator
For more information on the course you want to do please visit: Qualification Specifications and assessment regulations – Signature
It is worth noting that you have to achieve Level 6 language before you undertake the Level 6 Interpreting Course.
Study at University.
Additionally, if you want to become a BSL interpreter you can take a more traditional route and attend University. Several Universities support this course such as:
- Wolverhampton
- UCLAN
- Edinburgh Napier
To see all University courses please visit UCAS: https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/
I hope you now have a solid understanding of how to become a qualified BSL interpreter and good luck with your career.
