subject: American Sign Language - How to Learn Sign Language [print this page] American Sign Language - How to Learn Sign Language
Learning Sign Language from Books
As people start to inquire about how to learn sign language, many of them purchase a book from their local store and start learning. However, many people find it defeating trying to learn how to sign from pictures. It is very difficult when learning how to sign when to know which way the sign moves. Do the signs move up? Do they move down? Perhaps the signs move in a circular motion, or to several locations, such as the word "teacher". Learning sign language from a book can be very difficult to decipher the pictures, and frustrating at the same time.
Taking a Class To Learn Sign Language
Unlike learning sign language from a book, taking a class is the next best thing. Many people need the instruction of a live person showing them each word in sign language. Some of the signs can be very confusing and hard to learn simply from a book. In addition, if you have questions about a particular sign, you can ask the instructor immediately. Learning sign language from a class is a great benefit to most learners.
Learning Sign Language from Deaf Community
Learning sign language from the Deaf Community is one of the best ways to develop your sign language skills. Many times, people can attend a local coffee shop where deaf people are there teaching sign language, or helping people to learn. Additionally, you can attend many deaf functions where you will be able to interact with a number of deaf people. There are opportunities for you to learn how to sign from the deaf community. You may have to do some research to find out where to go, and who may be there.
Learning Sign Language from Online Programs
Many people like the idea of learning sign language at home, or work from an online American Sign Language Program. There are many online programs that teach sign language. However, not all programs are the same. You want to find a program that has certain key features. One major component to a great sign language program online is themed lessons. In order for you to retain your learning of sign language, you need to have themed lessons for you to anchor your newly acquired knowledge. If you have a list of random signs, you will not be able to retain much.
The next major component is to have retention exercises. After you learn a lesson, you need to test your knowledge. Having retention exercises will help you reinforce your new learning for you to be able to use it when needed. The next key feature is for the online program to have an extensive sign language dictionary. Having the ability to look up interested signs, or phrases, is paramount. Some online programs have a way for you to save your interested words, or sign language words in a separate place for ease of access. Another important feature that is critical for the online program to have is a section about Deaf Culture. You need to be familiar with various aspects of Deaf culture when learning sign language.
