American Sign Language, or ASL, is a unique language that is growing in popularity among English speakers. There are many uses of this visual language, made up of hand and body movements, but becoming apart of the diverse deaf culture is one of its many perks.
Keep reading to find answers to some frequently asked questions when starting to learn American Sign Language. We’ll share how long it takes to learn ASL, how to put your signing skills to good use, and more!
Sign language is the main method of communication for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. It’s also becoming more and more popular among parents of infants and toddlers who are still developing the ability to speak.
Certain professions, from police officers to scuba divers, also speak in sign language as a useful and discreet communication tool.
No; there isn’t one form of sign language that is used and understood around the
As with learning any new language, the level of difficulty experienced by the student will largely depend on that student’s learning style. But for a motivated and committed student with the right teacher, mastering sign language isn’t any more difficult than mastering a spoken language.
Keep in mind that learning advanced sign language will have more challenges than picking up basic, beginners sign language. Some challenges faced by English speaking students are the grammar and sentence structure of ASL.
It can take anywhere from three months to three years to learn sign language - it all depends on your end goal. If your goal is to become fluent, you can expect to be studying a sign language like ASL for several years.
If you just want to pick up some basic signs though, it should only take a few months. It’s important to remember that individual students have different learning rates, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you find that it’s taking you longer.
There are dozens of benefits of learning sign language, from professional to social. Here are just a few of the reasons why taking online sign language classes is a great idea.
There are a few different options for where to learn sign language. Many people choose to take classes at a community college, however this is a more expensive route. Others visit local organizations or clubs that offer more budget-friendly classes.
Another option is to take online sign language classes, such as the ones we offer at TakeLessons Live. Online classes are convenient and affordable, with the added bonus of learning in a group where you can quickly advance your conversation skills.
Lastly, students looking for a challenge can choose to immerse themselves in their local deaf community. This might not be the fastest method but it’s definitely an exciting option if you’re outgoing and eager to learn!
The cost of learning sign language all depends on your method of learning. An ASL course at a community college typically costs around $300.
Here at TakeLessons, you can access free sign language classes for a whole month. Get a taste of the language and get to know your teacher before committing. After that, the cost of continuing classes is only $19.95 per month for new students.
If you prefer having a one-on-one experience with a professional tutor, private lessons range from $15 to $35 per half hour at TakeLessons.
Although there are many apps and YouTube videos available that can help you learn ASL, it’s best to have an experienced and qualified instructor who can provide direction and feedback on your way to fluency.
A teacher will be able to work with your unique learning style, ensuring that you’re studying sign language in the right ways to advance quicker. He or she will also be able to easily identify mistakes you’re making and help you correct them.
To learn American Sign Language with the help of an expert instructor, check out our selection of online sign language classes today!
The more you practice ASL, the better you’ll become and the faster you’ll improve. There are countless fun and efficient ways to practice your signing skills. We’ll list 10 of them here!
There are some very helpful American Sign Language apps available to supplement your learning. Although these apps are excellent resources for students, we don’t recommend using an app as your sole method of learning ASL.
ASL is best learned with the personal guidance of a teacher and immersion in the language. With that in mind, here are seven of the best apps for practicing your ASL skills!
It’s widely believed that ASL was created in 1817 at the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. The school was founded by a Yale graduate named Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet.
The exact number of ASL users in the United States is unknown, mainly due to the fact that the U.S. Census Bureau counts ASL speakers among English speakers.
However, there are approximately one million deaf people in the United States, and it can be assumed that a majority of them use some form of sign language as their main method of communication.
Baby sign language is a form of signing that helps parents communicate with their young children who haven’t yet developed speaking abilities. With baby sign language, infants and toddlers are able to better express their emotions and desires.
Here are some differences between baby sign language and other types of sign language, like ASL:
Most children are able to use simple signs between the ages of 6 and 9 months, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start signing to your baby before then. The earlier you start signing to your baby, the more familiar he or she will get with the signs and it will be easier to learn down the road.
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