How to Learn Sign Language the Easy Way

Communicating with someone who has severe hearing loss or an inability to speak clearly can be difficult and frustrating for all parties involved. American Sign Language can be the key to bridging the gap between those who cannot hear and those who can, helping to facilitate better communication. Learning sign language doesn't have to be difficult. The Internet provides a number of resources that make learning sign language easy.

Things You'll Need

• American Sign Language Dictionary

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Instructions

• 1

  Find a copy of the American Sign Language (ASL) Dictionary to keep on hand as a constant reference. You can purchase the book at almost any bookstore, find it in most libraries, or even use an online version free of charge (see Resources). The ASL Dictionary illustrates all the signs you need to know to efficiently communicate using sign language.

• 2

  Refer to videos whenever possible. Video websites like Youtube offer free video tutorials that can help you review full conversations in sign. This learning method can be more effective than looking at pictures of individual signs. Use your ASL Dictionary as a quick reference and in conjunction with video.

• 3

  Focus first on words that allow you to communicate with someone about his basic needs and emotions. As you go along, you can learn conversational signs or signs that will be most relevant to a person with whom you need to communicate regularly.

• 4

  Practice a new sign or two a day and use it immediately in context. By putting together a complete conversation using signs, you learn will help reinforce the signs until you can make them naturally, just as you speak. It takes time to become skilled, but with regular practice, communication through sign language can easily become an effective way for you to communicate.