Learning American Sign Language (ASL) is not only a way to break communication barriers, it is viewed as a respectful and worthwhile skill to have.
Sign language is not universal, and different countries have their own unique version of the language.
Today, there are over 300 different sign languages that are used around the world. In the United States and part of Canada, ASL is the most commonly used.
In the U.S. alone, there are over half a million people who use ASL as their primary method of communication, according to the Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
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Learning a different language is a powerful skill to have, but it does take time and commitment to master.
Luckily, there are so many different tools at your disposal today that can help you learn ASL right from the comfort of your couch.
If you want to learn ASL, below are tips to get you started.
- Start with the alphabet
- Use phone apps for quick lessons
- Take an ASL class
- Try learning with the help of YouTube videos
- Maintain consistency
1. Start with the alphabet
When learning ASL, you'll want to begin with the basics, and the alphabet is a fundamental starting point.
While you can't always rely on the alphabet when communicating with someone through ASL, it can assist when you encounter a word you don't know the sign for.
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In ASL, "finger spelling" refers to spelling out the word or words you are trying to communicate.
Start off your ASL journey with the alphabet and perfect it before you move on to more complex teachings.
Each day, multiple times a day, quickly run through the alphabet.
Soon enough, this will begin to come naturally to you, and you'll be ready to learn more ASL.
2. Use phone apps for quick lessons
There are several apps you can download to access lessons right at your fingertips.
Some courses are free to download, but some content is blocked behind a pay wall.
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Others do charge a fee but often offer a free trial, so you can make sure you like it before you buy it.
A quick search in the app store will give you plenty of options, depending on what you are looking for.
Some of these apps have interactive lessons with instructors, where others serve as more of a sign language dictionary.
3. Take an ASL class
There are plenty of ASL classes you can take.
Community colleges often offer ASL courses for in-person learning. If you want to take a class from home, there are also plenty of online classes and courses you can choose from.
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Taking an ASL class is an effective way to learn the language, while holding yourself accountable and keeping your studies on track.
Classes provide an opportunity to ask questions about ASL as well.
4. Try learning with the help of YouTube videos
YouTube could be a powerful tool when learning a new language.
There are many YouTube videos dedicated to teaching ASL.
The lessons are typically quick and will introduce you to the language without needing to make a commitment to a class.
YouTube offers beginner-level videos that cover need-to-know signs.
The videos can be watched and re-watched until you've perfected the skills.
5. Maintain consistency
Practice makes perfect.
To adapt to the skill, you need to put in the time. Put yourself on a schedule and try to be consistent with your studies.
Once you get the hang of it, practice your sign language around the house, without the help of an instructional video.
While it's great to use classes and videos as a way to learn, you'll need to put it into practice.
