British Sign Language teacher

Career path and progression

You could:

• become a British Sign Language (BSL) teaching co-ordinator in a school or college
• take on responsibility for building links with employers to offer work experience opportunities to students
• do further training in lipspeaking, deafblind communication and deaf awareness
• work freelance
• set up your own BSL teacher agency

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of English language
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

Related subjects

Most relevant

• English Language - British Sign Language teachers need a strong understanding of English language structure – including grammar, syntax, and sentence construction – because they teach students how to translate between English and BSL. They also develop teaching materials and assess written work, so clear language skills are essential.
• Modern Foreign Languages - British Sign Language teachers are essentially teaching a language, so the skills involved in learning and teaching any language – such as understanding grammar systems, building vocabulary, and developing fluency – are directly relevant. Experience with language learning also helps them understand the challenges their students face.
• Psychology - British Sign Language teachers need to understand how people learn, process information, and stay motivated – especially when working with diverse learners including deaf and hearing students. Knowledge of cognitive development and communication psychology helps them adapt their teaching to different needs and age groups.

Also relevant

• Sociology - British Sign Language teachers benefit from understanding Deaf culture and how deaf communities experience society, including issues around inclusion, identity, and access. Sociology helps them appreciate the social context in which BSL exists and why it matters beyond just being a communication tool.
• Drama - British Sign Language teachers use facial expressions, body language, and physical movement as core parts of communication – all skills developed in drama. Being expressive and confident in using non-verbal communication helps them demonstrate signs clearly and engage their students.
• Biology - British Sign Language teachers benefit from understanding how hearing works, the causes of deafness, and how the brain processes language and sensory information. This knowledge helps them better understand the experiences of deaf students and explain aspects of deaf awareness to hearing learners.
• Business - British Sign Language teachers may work freelance or set up their own BSL teaching agency, which requires skills in managing finances, marketing services, and building client relationships. Understanding business basics is valuable for those who want to be self-employed in this field.