Each language teacher has his or her own preference in starting a class. Some may begin with simple pronouns and basic conjugation. Others may start with counting and learning the new alphabet. For American Sign Language, it’s no different. There are as many places to start as there are teachers and students wishing to learn.
Fingerspelling is a Good Place to Start Learning Sign Language
One approach is to learn the Deaf alphabet first. It’s good practice for finger dexterity and fingerspelling is an integral part of ASL. Once the student has memorized the finger alphabet, then he can practice as often as he thinks about it – while watching television, riding in a car, listening to music, etc. Any time the student thinks of a word, name, phrase, etc, he can spell it. Spelling comes slowly and awkwardly at first but will improve with practice.
Basic pronouns are another place. Understanding hand placement is crucial for this. The top part of the head is dedicated to all things male. The bottom part to female. Remembering this difference will help prevent confusion between woman/man, mother/father, sister/brother, etc.
Some teachers like to incorporate song-sign early into their programs. The student learns a few basic signs then puts them together to simple songs. For home study, there are several song-sign computer programs available in bookstores and on the Internet. Church websites often offer similar sites, demonstrating how to use ASL to sign hymns and other gospel music.
ASL Sentence Structure is Different Than English
Sentence structure with ASL is very different than with spoken English. According to Dr. Bill Vicars, founder of the online ASL study program, ASL University, the structure for ASL goes “Time-Topic-Comment.” For example, to say “The woman is reading a book” in ASL, the structure would go more like, “Today woman she read book she.” (The final “she” being added for clarity and emphasis, but not always considered necessary.) Learning syntax doesn’t need to come in the first few days, but students should still learn this early before bad habits are formed that become difficult to overcome.
There are several websites that provide online language courses in ASL. These are all excellent starting points. Some, such as ASL University, offer four years of training and all for free unless the student wants actual tests and documentation for college credit. Others have good, comprehensive training, but not necessarily broken into year levels.
Practicing With a Deaf Person is Best!
As good as the online courses are they don’t replace “in-person” practice. Having a live person, preferably Deaf, to practice and correct is the best teacher of all. Students get real exposure to conversation, correct methods and even regional differences. Deaf clubs can be a great resource for practice partners and immersion-level exposure into ASL. Working with Deaf partners can also give the student insight into the Deaf community that can’t come by book or Internet.
The NAD lists local offices of state organizations. Googling can bring up resources for schools that teach ASL as well as other Deaf related programs.
Starting to learn American Sign Language, or any language, can seem like starting a voyage to a different continent. So much to learn and no idea where to start. Taken logically and with proper planning, learning ASL can become an exciting journey that will have the diligent student conversing and understanding in no time!
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