Have you been wondering how to learn ASL online? If so, you’re in luck. As far as languages go, there are a wealth of online language learning resources for American Sign Language students. We’ll go into these resources in depth in this article.
Self-study lets you take control of your learning, which can be an optimal way to begin your online language studies. Taking the initiative to learn ASL online has multiple benefits and with a plethora of apps, websites, and videos, online accessibility is ever-increasing.
Ready to learn the ASL alphabet? Follow along in this helpful video:
Why Should I Learn ASL Online?
The first step in figuring out how to learn ASL online is understanding the amazing benefits of learning American Sign Language in an online environment. Learning ASL online saves you money, allows you to study on your own time, provides you access to a National community of ASL users, is a flexible method, gives you better access to language learning resources, is convenient, gives you access to quality digital learning tools, and expedites your time to fluency.
- Saves money in travel costs: no more traveling a long distance to class
- Allows you to set and allocate time to study: study American Sign Language late at night, during lunch, or before work in the morning
- Provides greater access to native ASL users (i.e., the Deaf community and children of Deaf adults)
- Is flexible to match your learning style: learn in an asynchronous college class or in one-on-one lessons
- Has higher availability and better accessibility than in-person language learning: book classes whenever you choose or study independently
- Allows you to work in a comfortable and familiar environment of your choosing: learn from the comfort of your living room
- Provides access to electronic resources and digital technology: translation tools, Zoom classes, apps, and more
- And moves at your pace (allowing for repetition, if needed): you have the resources of the internet at your fingertips, so you can zip through an ASL course, or watch YouTube videos over and over.
Whether you’re looking to learn American Sign Language yourself, or you want to learn ASL with your children, the benefits of studying with the wealth of web resources available to you are hard to pass up.
Ready to get started? Learn more when you follow along with this American Sign Language video lesson:
So, Exactly How Do I Learn ASL Online?
Now that you’ve decided to learn ASL online, you’ll need strategies for a successful language learning experience. Start by getting organized. Think about the tools, materials, note-taking systems, and websites you want to use and prepare in advance. For example, bookmark URL links that you plan to use frequently for easier access.
1. Set Up Your Workspace
Next, set up your workspace. Your dedicated learning environment should be a setting that allows for focus and boosts your productivity. Since you’ll be studying online, a strong internet connection is key, especially since learning ASL online requires video streaming.
Whether you’re learning ASL online or in-person, you will have to take videos of yourself signing. When video recording yourself or meeting online with others to practice signing, you’ll need good lighting. Avoid sitting in front of windows or other spaces that make you look dark or are back-lit. Also, you’ll need to be set up close enough to the webcam to see from the top of your head to your torso. No signs should be made out of the frame, nor should you be so far back that it’s difficult to see your signs or fingerspelling.
Fine-tuning the webcam view of yourself for optimal lighting and view of signing space takes time, but is important for anyone who will be watching you sign, including you! That’s right, you’ll be watching videos of yourself signing. It’s like writing a paper and then reading over it to edit and revise.
2. Choose a Time to Study
Once your workspace is set up, choose a time to study that works best for you. Whether it is Monday mornings, Tuesday afternoons, or three evenings a week, set a schedule and stick to it, allowing for flexibility as other commitments (e.g., vacations, medical appointments) arise.
In addition to learning new content during each learning session, pick a time to review what you’ve previously studied. Whatever schedule you set for yourself, remember to hold yourself accountable.
3. Gather Your ASL Learning Resources
At this point, you have your tools, schedule, and equipment set up to begin learning ASL online. Now it’s time to incorporate the ASL resources. Start by watching video tutorials from a reputable YouTube channel or other online source.
Watch a few videos from each of these suggestions, or others that you may know of, and choose one that interest you: Gallaudet University: ASL for Free, ASL University by Lifeprint with Bill Vicars, Signed with Heart, or ASL Meredith: American Sign Language Tutorials for Beginners.
Once you’ve chosen a platform for ASL tutorials and lessons, begin learning, taking notes, studying, and reviewing the videos until you’ve mastered them. If you find that you want to change from one resource to another at any time, do it! You’re in control of how you learn ASL online.
4. Surround Yourself With Learners
After you have chosen a resource and have begun your ASL tutorials, join supportive learning groups on Facebook to socialize with other ASL students and to ask questions about ASL. There are many groups out there, some specific to certain locations, but ASL Practice Buddies, ASL Practice , and American Sign Language are a few examples of ASL learning groups to get you started.
Keep in mind that these groups are often saturated with ASL learners, like you, who are not native users or fluent in ASL yet. These groups are simply an optional support system during your language learning journey. They’ll provide an avenue to ask questions and get feedback, as well as help maximize your ASL learning by building relationships with native speakers, ASL instructors, and fellow ASL students.
In addition to social media support, you should also choose an online ASL language resource to assist your studying. ASL dictionaries and videos will support what you’ve learned in your structured tutorials. Some examples include: Lifeprint, Signing Savvy, HandSpeak, and ASL Nook, which is especially geared towards children.
5. Remember to Practice ASL Offline as Well!
While learning ASL online, you should still spend time offline practicing what you’ve learned. In the beginning of your studies, practice fingerspelling daily. When fingerspelling, chunk words by syllables, rather than separate letters. If you’re not sure where to start or how to practice, just grab a book and fingerspell all the words on a page. To learn more about fingerspelling, click here.
As you pick up the basics of ASL and your skills advance, expand your studying beyond structured ASL tutorials. Start watching ASL news programs created by the Deaf community, such as The Daily Moth and DPAN TV: The Sign Language Channel, which can also be followed on social media as well.
You Know How to Learn American Sign Language Online: Go Out There and Try it Out!
Now, you know how to learn ASL online! Once you’ve gotten to a point where you’re ready to advance your skills and learn from an ASL tutor, check out the TakeLessons website to take your sign language learning further. Most importantly, have fun!
Magen Hom