Islamic BSL 101 for Communication Professionals

Enhancing Understanding. Deepening Connection.

Join us for a practical and insightful CPD course created specifically for interpreters, Communication Support Workers (CSWs), and language professionals. This session will support you in developing a confident, respectful, and culturally informed approach to working in Islamic contexts.

You’ll explore Islamic principles, culture, and history, while learning the relevant British Sign Language (BSL) vocabulary to use with clarity and care. Whether you’re aiming to deepen your professional expertise or broaden your ability to connect meaningfully across cultures, this course offers both the knowledge and the tools to do just that.

What You’ll Gain

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

• Understand key aspects of Islamic history, beliefs, and cultural practices

• Use appropriate and accurate BSL vocabulary in Islamic contexts

• Link Islamic concepts with BSL signs confidently

• Navigate customs and expectations with cultural sensitivity

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognise

• Key Islamic expressions and their significance

• Specialist BSL vocabulary rooted in Islamic culture

2. Understand

• A concise overview of Islamic history

• The thinking behind specific BSL signs

• Variations across different Islamic traditions and sects

• Gaps between media narratives and lived realities

3. Apply

• BSL in a way that reflects a deeper understanding of Islamic ideas

• Cultural knowledge to support respectful interaction in Islamic environments

All participants will receive:

• A digital booklet summarising key content

• A BSL vocabulary video covering the signs used in the session

This course is about more than language – it’s about building bridges, fostering understanding, and enabling authentic, respectful communication. We look forward to learning together.

About the Trainer

Ayesha Gavin is a qualified RSLT and founder of Heart of BSL. A proud Deaf Muslim woman, she specialises in BSL teaching, translation, and cultural awareness, with a focus on inclusive communication across diverse communities. With a background in education and a passion for bridging language and cultural gaps, Ayesha brings both expertise and lived experience to her work.

6 x Structured CPD points

Trainer: Ayesha Gavin, RSLT

Language of Instruction: BSL and English

Notetaker present: No

Cameras on or off? On

Active/Passive Participation? Active - breakout rooms

Recorded? No