You don’t need to spend any money to start learning American Sign Language (ASL) with these resources.
So, you want to learn sign language on a
budget. You could be motivated by a desire to understand deaf friends better,
communicate with relatives who are hard of hearing, or express yourself after
experiencing hearing loss. No matter what piques your interest in American Sign
Language (ASL), attending in-person classes is the fastest, most reliable way
to master the language.
But plenty of people simply do not have the
time or financial resources to attend sign language classes. Although studying
ASL online cannot replicate the nuanced experience of in-person communication,
curious students who are willing to invest time do not need to pay money for
beginner lessons. All of the learning options on our list are either completely
free or offer a generous amount of content in front of their paywalls.
The online ASL for Free program from
Gallaudet University is not included because it is temporarily unavailable due
to a curriculum restructuring—ASL for Free may be added in a future update. For
more information about ASL and deaf culture and history, visit the resource-rich
website for the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet.
ASL
University
If you ask around for free sign language
resources, ASL University from Bill Vicars is often recommended. It stood out
from multiple websites as the most comprehensive and organized option. With 60
available lessons, ASL University covers frequently used subjects, such as
food, clothing, and emotions. Each lesson is accompanied by a 40-minute video
that showcases a two-person conversation using the vocabulary. When you click
on the hyperlinked vocab words, a short video demonstrating the sign language
will pop up.
According to his website, Vicars is deaf and
taught ASL for years at California State University, Sacramento. Even though
ASL University is not an actual school, it’s a phenomenal website with
informative, engaging lessons that are ideal for beginners looking for a
reliable place to start.
StartASL
Not all of the content on StartASL is free,
but you can access a significant amount of helpful information without paying a
dime. The free lessons focus on practicing conversations and understanding the
structure of ASL but do not go particularly deep. You have to sign up with an
email address to receive the three workbooks that accompany the lessons.
The workbooks are great for learners who have
access to a printer and want to practice ASL by writing information down. As
the name implies, this option is not catered to more advanced learners. If ASL
University is too detailed for your taste, StartASL may feel less overwhelming
and further ignite your interest in sign language.
The
ASL App
Many sign language resources are designed to
be used on a desktop computer or laptop. If you want the flexibility of
learning sign language on your smartphone, The ASL App (for iPhone and Android)
is worth a try. Although it is not as interactive as other options, The ASL App
is easy to use and accessible for younger learners.
Numbers, ABCs, and a few other basic lessons
are free. Bundles that cover specific topics can be unlocked for $1 each, or
you can purchase everything for $10. Famous model and activist Nyle DiMarco is
one of the sign language demonstrators. The free content is decent, and the
expansion packs include topics not often covered in other resources, like the
great outdoors and LGBT pride month.
SignSchool
Depending on how much ASL you already know,
the difficulty level of Sign School can be adjusted between Beginner,
Intermediate, and Advanced. The lessons involve watching a person sign and
answering quizzes about what they communicated. This resource offers more than
just traditional lessons, with tools for learning your name and a game to
practice fingerspelling.
A couple of the webpages did not correctly
load while testing it out, but SignSchool is a good platform overall that can
supplement your language learning. The website asks for your email to create an
account, but it is free to use. You can choose to have a sign of the day sent
to your email inbox for extra practice. iPhone and Android apps are available
so you can take lessons on the go.
TikTok
Following social media accounts that post
sign language content can be a fantastic way to experience ASL in a casual
environment, but the final two recommendations on our list come with a
disclaimer. Even though amateur videos are often created with good intentions,
you should verify what you learn with outside sources for accuracy.
Searching TikTok using keywords or hashtags
is a solid way to discover new accounts related to your interests. #LearnASL,
#LearnToSign, and #SignLanguage all have millions of views and are adequate
starting points. To differentiate their content, creators will often compile
educational videos into a playlist featured near the top of their profile page.
Jon Urquhart’s (@drunkcrier) playlist titled
“Worst Mistakes in ASL” is a hilarious way to discover signs with PG-13
meanings. Zoey Hendrix (@zoeysensei) is an ASL teacher who creates videos
covering how to sign for everything from diabetes to astrology. Phelan Conheady
(@signinngwolf) does not predominantly post teaching content on TikTok, but
their videos provide valuable insight from a young member of the deaf
community.
YouTube
Sign language is a visual method of
communication, and numerous ASL teachers host their videos on YouTube. You can
directly subscribe to Bill Vicar’s YouTube channel if you want to watch longer
lessons from ASL University on your smart TV. Multiple documentaries that dive
into the history of ASL and the deaf community, like Signing Black in America
and Through Deaf Eyes, are available to stream on YouTube.
With an engaging presence and a deep
knowledge of sign language, ASLMeredith is one of my favorite YouTube channels
for practicing signs. The Learn How to Sign channel has informative,
entry-level videos such as “150 Essential ASL Signs.” Traveling across the
pond? The Commanding Hands channel will introduce you to a few elements of
British Sign Language.
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