Centre for Deaf Education Courses at City Lit
City Lit has provided support for deaf people at its heart right from our establishment, in 1919. Some of the first courses ever offered by City Lit were lipreading classes for deafened soldiers returning from World War I. Over the years, we have grown to become an internationally-renowned centre of a wide range of provision - it is the largest centre of its kind in Europe. Our staff is a mixed group of deaf and hearing professionals; all highly skilled in their own areas of specialist expertise. Learn British sign language with City Lit today.
In order to join our deaf English, maths and computing courses, you need to have an interview and initial assessment first.
As well as courses, we also offer support and services for deaf people.
48 courses available
- Deaf history part 1Find out about the history of Deaf people in Britain and the development of BSL. This fascinating course is taught in BSL. Hearing people with a minimum of level 2 BSL are welcome.
Online
Thu 15 Oct 2026Peter BrownFull fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £111.00 - Pre-level 2 in BSL: refresherIf you have passed level 1 in BSL but are not quite ready to do level 2, this course is for you. Practise storytelling, having conversations and presenting information to others in an unhurried and friendly class. This is not an exam class, but you will receive an attendance certificate.
Keeley Street
Mon 2 Nov 2026Antony RabinFull fee £389.00 Senior fee £311.00 Concession £272.00 
BSL level 1Have you always wanted to learn British Sign Language and communicate with Deaf people? Develop the skills you need to gain the level 1 BSL qualification, accredited by Signature. The fees for BSL level 1 courses include a year's subscription to Signworld.
You may wish to study BSL without the pressure of an exam, or just for fun. We can arrange for you to be taught without a formal final assessment and you will receive a certificate of attendance.Full fee £699.00 Senior fee £585.00 Concession £528.00- BSL intensive fingerspelling practiceAre you on a level 1 or 2 BSL course and would like to improve your ability to use and understand BSL fingerspelling? This workshop is taught by a highly experienced teacher and provides a perfect opportunity to focus on this particular area of BSL.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00
- BSL taster session
This is a one-off free taster session to give you an idea of what happens in a British Sign Language class. The class will be a fun and relaxed group where you will learn some basic signs in BSL. If you enjoy the class, you can discuss course options with the tutor at the end.
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - English grammar for deaf people (entry 2) - part 2This course is suitable if you have enough vocabulary to be able to read and write basic sentences. During this course, you will learn more vocabulary and grammar to help you talk, read and write about yourself, your family and friends and complete forms, short sms and e-mails. This course has no exams.
This course is free for learners who have not achieved a GCSE grade C (4) and higher in English. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Thu 7 Jan 2027Full fee £0.00 - English for deaf people: Reading for pleasure (entry 1) - part 2The aim of this course is to develop your reading skills in a friendly and supportive environment. During this course you will read various book stories chosen by the tutor. You will also be discussing your reading materials in BSL, learning new vocabulary and exploring the structure of English. This course has no exams.
This course is free for learners who have not achieved a GCSE grade C (4) and higher in English. For more information Click here
Keeley Street
Thu 7 Jan 2027Full fee £0.00 - BSL level 2Have you passed your BSL level 1 and are you ready for a level 2 course? Build your skills and knowledge and achieve a level 2 qualification, accredited by Signature.Full fee £909.00 Senior fee £767.00 Concession £696.00
- Lipreading and managing hearing loss: beginners module 2This class is suitable for if you have completed module 1 or have completed the one term introduction to lipreading class or have attended a lipreading class at any level in the past, but want to go back to basics. You will develop your lipreading and fingerspelling skills and build your confidence.
This course will be taught in spoken English and not in sign language.
See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £90.00 - Lipreading and managing hearing loss: improvers module 2Develop your lipreading skills and strategies for face-to-face communication and keep up-to-date with relevant equipment and services. This course is suitable if you have completed improvers module 1.
This course will be taught in spoken English and not in sign language.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £116.00 Concession £90.00 - Introduction to BSLInterested in learning British Sign Language? Learn some basic vocabulary and grammar, and decide if you want to progress to the level 1 qualification.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £209.00
- Lipreading and managing hearing loss: beginners module 3This class is suitable for if you have completed beginners modules 1 and 2 or have completed a lipreading class in the past and already have a basic understanding of lipreading theory and fingerspelling. You will develop your lipreading and fingerspelling skills and build your confidence.
This course will be taught in spoken English and not in sign language.
See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £90.00 - Level 6 in BSLIdeal if you have achieved your level 3 or level 4 in BSL, depending on your BSL skills, and are ready to progress to Level 6. This course is suitable for you if you want to continue to develop your skills up to the appropriate standard at level 6 in BSL. This course will enable you to understand and use complex BSL in a range of work and social situations. By the end of the course you will need to achieve all 6 assessments to gain a qualification at level 6.
Keeley Street
Wed 13 Jan 2027Full fee £1,899.00 Senior fee £1,899.00 Concession £1,899.00 - Deaf history: one-day courseA brief introduction to the history of Deaf people in Britain and the development of British Sign Language. This fascinating course is taught in BSL, with a BSL-English interpreter available.
Online
Sat 16 Jan 2027Peter BrownFull fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00 - Deaf history part 2This exciting course covers information about the history of the Deaf community, education, media and sport to a more advanced and in depth level. It is taught in BSL, and hearing people with a minimum of level 2 in BSL are welcome.
Online
Thu 21 Jan 2027Peter BrownFull fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £111.00
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