Learning Sign language Over The Internet

Learning sign language always seemed to be an intimidating prospect to me because I struggled so much in my Spanish classes. I'd always heard that learning to sign is like learning a new language - even if you already speak the language that is signed - because of the new hand movements and gestures you have to learn. But people like me would be happy to find out that there are tons of websites available that provide hands-on instruction to get you started. This was good news to me, because even though I've learned the basics, I'm still a "newbie"! If you're interested in learning more about sign language, or even want to brush up on skills you've already learned, why not join me in venturing to these informative signing websites? Let's get started!

American Sign Language (ASL) Browser
Lesson Tutor
A Basic Dictionary of ASL Terms (Mastertech.com)
ASL University
Hand speak
American Sign Language Finger spelling Practice Site

A Look At The Positive Aspects Of The American Sign Language

American sign language is the language of the deaf community in America and English speaking countries around North America. This language involves the use of body language like hands and the reading of impressions on lips. Body and facial expressions constitute this kind of special communication. The birth of this kind of language was due to necessity. Many American families with deaf children had to employ teachers to instruct their children but, with growing need, the language is being taught in secondary and post secondary level. Family members and friends have been known to learn this kind of language to help deaf people.

Learn American Sign Language - Easy To Learn And Useful To Know

Many people find sign language fascinating. While other languages take years to learn, American Sign Language can be taught in a much shorter time period. It is one of the easiest languages to learn because most of the signs were developed to mimic the actual word or phrase it is representing. Even the alphabet signs look like the letters of the English alphabet. It is a very useful language to learn and one of the simplest to master.

People choose to learn American Sign Language for many reasons. Some have a loved one who is deaf and they want to be able to communicate. Others want to be able to communicate to deaf people that they work with or go to church with. Many wish to become more involved in the deaf community. No matter what your motives, the Learn American Sign Language program from Rocket Sign Language is simple, quick, and effective.

American Sign Language - Why Should You Learn It?

Why should you learn Sign Language? Do you want to improve your communication with a family member or friend who is deaf? Do you want to be able to communicate with deaf people in general?

For whatever reason, many people are many learning ASL... it is not difficult or expensive to learn this unique form of communication. It's even exciting!

You can communicate clearly with ASL at distances far beyond the reach of the loudest shout!

Underwater divers use sign language to communicate with each other, in an environment where speaking is often impossible.

A very small microphone can pick up and eavesdrop on any spoken conversation, even if whispered. But a microphone is useless at recording sign language!

Yes, it is true that a video pickup COULD record it. But the recording would have to be continuous (not a sequence of still-shots) and in well-positioned direct line of sight. A video camera would be useless if the person speaking American Sign Language was behind something or had his back to the camera...

The Truth About American Sign Language

American Sign Language, or ASL, is the third most used language in the United States. Used by the deaf community, interpreters, and friends and family of the deaf, it is fairly easy to learn compared to other languages. Watching anyone fluent in ASL, you can see it is a graceful and beautiful language.

There are many versions of sign language, and American Sign Language can trace its roots back to France and Italy. Then, a deaf community on Martha's Vineyard developed their own adaptation. This eventually evolved into American Sign Language as we know it today.

Learning American Sign Language

Learn the Alphabet First

Many sign language practitioners suggest that in order to really get the most out of signing, just like in any spoken language, you need to learn the alphabet first. The main reason is that the alphabet is the foundation for most languages. But don't worry - learning the alphabet is relatively simple. I learned it in one day and am still able to recall the letters. The way I taught myself is a little bit strange, but it worked for me. I actually learned the Spanish alphabet (spoken) years ago in middle school but was having a hard time remembering it, so I decided to teach myself to remember sign language letters by speaking each letter that I signed in Spanish. Since I know the English alphabet so well, I knew my mind would passively run through the letters and leave room for me to forget what I was signing, but by reciting the Spanish alphabet, I could make sure I would remember both - and it actually worked.

Learning Finger Spelling

To see how far you've come, you can test your skills by seeing how fast you can spell out simple words like "jump" or "play" or even your name; this is known as finger spelling. Instead of signing in full words (you haven't learned them yet anyway), you spell out words by signing each letter. You will see that it can be a challenge to arrange the letters in different orders without practice. But once you are able to move quickly through words without pausing, you can successfully say you've learned.

Learn American Sign Language At Home?

Learning at home is great - the obvious advantages are that you an study at your own pace, and at times to suit your lifestyle. It's a lot easier to learn from home while still being able to deal with daily home activities. It becomes an issue of time if you have to jump in a car and drive to class somewhere. The requirements of sitting in a class environment can add stress to your already hectic scheduling which will than impact your learning.

You could just buy yourself a book on the subject, but that's not advisable as the quickest way to learn, because you will be staring at a lot of diagrams which will take a lot of effort to turn into the actual hand movements you'll need.