How to Learn Sign Language
Overview
Whether a person is born deaf, mute, autistic or develops a condition that leaves him unable to communicate verbally, sign language provides a way for people to connect through unspoken word. Sign language breaks down communication barriers by use of gestures, facial expressions and body language. As with any language, the style differs in various parts of the world. In the United States, American Sign Language is used.
Step 1
Interact with others who are fluent in the use of sign language. By communicating with children and adults who sign, you will be able to pick up on the proper techniques for signing. Learning American Sign Language involves expressing yourself through your eyes and eyebrows, face, head and body movements. Acquiring the ability to use cues is essential to signing effectively.
Step 2
Take an American Sign Language course. You can enroll in a course at a local college or university. Your sign language course will require you to purchase textbooks and other course materials for learning. You will literally have hands-on participation in class as you follow demonstrations by your instructor. Having a deaf teacher may be more beneficial.
Step 3
Sign up for classes online as an alternative. Online courses use digital video to provide you with visual images of hands communicating by forming signs. There are a series of sign language courses for beginners and experienced signers. The early courses cover the basics of fingerspelling, greetings and common conversational phrases; advanced courses provide formal training in American Sign Language grammar and syntax.
Step 4
View ASL fingerspelling online for free at a website like lifeprint.com. Lifeprint.com provides video feed on forming the alphabet, numbers and even jokes. There's no limit to the number of times you can view the teaching tools, so practice along with the displayed hand until you learn to sign. Other free sites on the Internet provide pictures of signing hands.
Step 5
Read books on American Sign Language to gather an understanding of the basics of signing. The details and illustrations used in the text will help you learn signing techniques. Make certain to choose a descriptive and informational book. If you buy books that include DVDs, they will be more effective in teaching you the body signals and hand formations used in sign language.
skill
4
tip
If you're teaching a child to sign, starting early in development can make the process easier.
The earlier the child is exposed, the better her sign language communication skills will become.
If you can communicate verbally, practice signing while you speak to get better at communicating.
keyword
American Sign Language signing hand signals
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