A beginner’s guide to sign language for starting university

Looking to learn a new skill over the Summer? Why not try your hand - literally! - at sign language. You never know when it could come in handy to help a fellow student out if they're lost or in need of help, and it's a great way to find out a little about how British Sign Language (BSL) works and whether it's a skill you'd like to pick up fully.

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Clearing 2025

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[00:00:12] Jacob Hello. Hi, how are you?

[00:00:17] Emily I'm good, how are you?

[00:00:20] Jacob I'm excited. Birmingham City University is massive. I'm a little nervous.

[00:00:32] Emily Same, I'm nervous too. I'm deaf. I use sign language, and I also lip read a little

[00:00:44] Jacob I know some sign and I've done some deaf awareness. I'll try to sign.

[00:00:56] Emily Great. Where are you from?

[00:01:01] Jacob I'm from l o n d o n. London. And the sign is this [signs for London]

[00:01:10] Emily Ah London, yep.

[00:01:13] Jacob Where are you from?

[00:01:15] Emily I'm from Liverpool.

[00:01:18] Jacob Sorry. What's that sign?

[00:01:21] Emily Are this sign: l i v e r p o o l, Liverpool.

[00:01:32] Jacob Liverpool. Wow. OK, I'm thirsty. Do you want to go and get a drink?

[00:01:41] Emily Oh yes. I need a strong coffee.

[00:01:46] Jacob Yeah me too. Ready. Let's go.

[00:02:00] Emily [Speaker 2 repeats signs for the phrases used]. Hello. Are you new? Same. Nice to meet you. What's your name? I'm excited to be here at Birmingham City University. I'm a little bit nervous. I'm deaf, I use sign language and I read lips a little. I know a little bit of sign language and I've done a bit of deaf awareness. I will try and sign. Where are you from? I'm from London, you? I'm from Liverpool. Shall we go for coffee? Yeah, I need a strong coffee. Ready, let's go.