Learning a new language can be an incredibly rewarding experience, opening up new avenues for communication and understanding. Sign language, in particular, not only bridges communication gaps but also enriches your cognitive abilities and cultural awareness. If you’re eager to start this journey without spending a dime, you’re in luck. Numerous resources are available to teach you How To Learn Sign Language Free.
This guide dives into the best free online resources, from comprehensive courses to handy apps and printable aids, ensuring you have everything you need to begin learning sign language at your own pace and convenience. Whether your goal is to communicate with someone deaf, enhance your resume, or simply expand your horizons, these free tools are a perfect starting point.
Top Free Online Sign Language Classes
For a structured learning experience, online classes are an excellent way to grasp the fundamentals of sign language. These platforms offer lessons that often include video instruction, quizzes, and interactive elements to keep you engaged.
American Sign Language University (ASLU)
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American Sign Language University (ASLU), spearheaded by Dr. Bill Vicars, offers an extensive array of free resources for learning American Sign Language (ASL). This platform stands out with its depth, providing over 60 lessons that systematically build your sign language skills. Beyond lessons, ASLU features a comprehensive dictionary search, number guides, and practical tools like fingerspelling practice and word search puzzles.
The lessons are thoughtfully structured, progressing from beginner to advanced levels, mirroring the methodical approach of traditional language learning. For newcomers, the “First 100 Signs” video series is an invaluable starting point, introducing essential signs commonly used in everyday interactions, especially with young children. These initial lessons provide a solid foundation for building conversational skills.
Sign Language 101
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Sign Language 101, developed by Dr. Byron W Bridges, offers 12 free units designed to introduce you to the basics of sign language. These units cover essential vocabulary ranging from greetings and food signs to school-related terms. As you progress, the lessons expand to include emotions and conversational phrases, equipping you with practical communication skills.
Each unit incorporates quizzes to reinforce learning, encouraging active engagement with the material. While these free lessons provide a robust introduction, they do not include features like completion certificates or personalized support, focusing instead on delivering accessible foundational knowledge. For further learning, Sign Language 101 also hosts a YouTube channel with additional video content to supplement your studies.
Start ASL
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Start ASL provides a comprehensive free ASL 1 course, featuring over 80 lessons designed to guide you from the very basics to more complex sign language skills. The course utilizes video lessons to facilitate easy learning and includes printable workbooks to reinforce the material through exercises and questions.
The curriculum is structured to gradually increase in complexity, starting with foundational signs and progressing to conversational practice and storytelling in ASL. This approach ensures a steady learning curve, making it accessible for beginners while providing substantial content for continued progress.
ASL Connect From Gallaudet University
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Gallaudet University, a prestigious institution dedicated to education for the deaf and hard of hearing, offers ASL Connect as a free online resource. This program includes over 20 video lessons covering a range of topics from basic vocabulary like colors, letters, and numbers to thematic units on sports, family, weather, and basic needs.
ASL Connect is an excellent resource for those seeking to learn sign language from a reputable source. The videos are designed to be accessible and informative, providing a valuable introduction to ASL and deaf culture from a leading authority in the field.
SignSchool
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SignSchool offers free online sign language classes that adapt to your learning level. Starting with the absolute basics, like spelling your name, SignSchool’s lessons progress in difficulty, allowing you to build skills incrementally. The platform also accommodates learners at different stages by offering Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced level options, ensuring content is relevant regardless of your current skill level.
Beyond structured lessons, SignSchool enhances learning with interactive tools like a fingerspelling game and a “sign of the day” feature. Creating a free user account unlocks all these resources, providing a personalized and engaging learning environment.
Free Sign Language Learning Apps
Mobile apps provide the flexibility to learn sign language on the go, making them ideal for learners who prefer to study in short bursts or while commuting.
The ASL App
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The ASL App is designed for on-the-go learning, making it easy to learn new signs and practice existing knowledge anytime, anywhere. This app allows you to set your own learning pace and offers a flexible approach to language acquisition, fitting seamlessly into busy lifestyles.
It focuses on teaching foundational elements of sign language, including the alphabet, numbers, universal gestures, colors, and a wide range of basic signs. Hand shape exercises are also included to help you develop the physical dexterity required for signing.
Teachers Paradise ASL Fingerspelling Game For Android
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Teachers Paradise ASL Fingerspelling Game is an engaging app focused on mastering the sign language alphabet. Using a flashcard format, it displays each letter with its corresponding sign, allowing you to flip through from A to Z or practice with randomized letters for varied learning.
The app includes over 140 flashcards and numerous activities designed to reinforce fingerspelling skills, making it a fun and effective tool for memorizing the ASL alphabet.
Download ASL American Sign Language
Marlee Signs for iOS
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Marlee Signs, featuring actress Marlee Matlin, provides a video-based approach to learning sign language. This app demonstrates how to sign words letter by letter and includes a library of conversation starters, numbers, letters, and common words.
The app is designed to be self-paced, allowing you to explore and learn what you want, when you want. This flexible structure makes it particularly useful for learners who prefer to focus on specific vocabulary or conversational phrases at their own convenience.
Printable Sign Language Charts
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Printable sign language charts are invaluable for quick reference and offline study. These charts, displaying the alphabet and basic signs, can be easily carried with you, placed around your home, or used for focused memorization sessions away from screens. They serve as constant visual reminders and study aids, reinforcing your learning through regular exposure.
Online Sign Language Games
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Online sign language games offer a fun and interactive way to reinforce what you’ve learned through classes, apps, or charts. These games test your sign recognition and recall in an engaging format, turning practice into an enjoyable activity. They are particularly useful for solidifying vocabulary and fingerspelling skills in a low-pressure environment.
Learning sign language for free has never been more accessible, thanks to this wealth of online resources. Whether you prefer structured classes, flexible apps, or hands-on charts and games, there’s a method to suit every learning style. Dive in, explore these resources, and start your journey to mastering sign language today!
