British Sign Language course launched to train interpreters locally

The Ministry of Equality has launched its first British Sign Language course in order to train fully qualified interpreters locally.

It says a Level 6 qualification is needed to work as a BSL interpreter, and that there are currently no locally-resident interpreters with this qualification.

The course, delivered by Sign Code UK, is scheduled to run for around five years. The first year will cover Levels 1 and 2; the second year, Level 3; the third year, Level 3 Professional, and the fourth and fifth years will cover Levels 4-6.

The Government says eight candidates were chosen to start the course after an in-depth selection and interview process, which assessed their communication skills and motivation.

The Minister for Equality, Christian Santos, said, “I am thrilled to have launched this as it is imperative to have BSL interpreters locally. BSL is not just something that persons who are d/Deaf want, it is something that they need. It is a basic human right to be able to have a conversation with someone. This course, together with the launch of Convo which we announced a few weeks ago, will serve to improve the lives of persons who are d/Deaf.”