Free online courseAmerican Sign Language Basics

Course Description

Welcome to "American Sign Language Basics," an immersive and comprehensive course designed to get you fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) quickly. Spanning an extensive duration of 31 hours and 55 minutes, this course provides a robust foundation for mastering ASL, making it perfect for beginners and those looking to solidify their skills. Although it falls under the Languages category and Sign language subcategory, it is engineered to offer practical and engaging learning experiences.

This course begins by arming you with high-frequency words and 24 essential signs commonly used in daily conversations. These foundational signs will set the stage for a deeper understanding and greater use of ASL in everyday interactions.

The ASL alphabet is crucial for fully grasping the language, and the course meticulously explains how to sign each letter. Additionally, common mistakes to avoid are highlighted, ensuring that you develop good habits from the start.

The curriculum also covers 100 basic signs divided into three intuitive parts: starting conversations, food and drinks, and understanding time in ASL. By segmenting the lessons this way, you can easily adapt the signs to your daily life.

To broaden your vocabulary, the course introduces the 25 most common signs, 13 colors, the days of the week, and the months of the year. These signs are indispensable for discussing various topics comfortably in ASL.

Numbers are another critical aspect of ASL, and the course dives deep into this topic. You'll learn how to sign any number and use them in contexts such as math, money, and ordinal numbers. Separate sessions focus on counting from 1-20, 21-100, and beyond, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

Animals, both domestic and zoo, are covered in dedicated modules where you will learn how to sign 13 common pets and 17 zoo animals. Furthermore, the course delves into family signs, technology-related terms, and signs for outdoor and winter activities.

Recognizing emotions and feelings is essential for nuanced conversations, and the course includes specialized lessons to help you articulate and understand these vital expressions. There's even a timely segment on coronavirus-related signs to keep you current.

Fingerspelling is another critical competency in ASL. Multiple sessions guide you through practice and offer tips to improve your speed and receptive skills. Practice modules come in various challenge levels, from basic to advanced, featuring everyday vocabulary to ensure that you're well-prepared.

Unique aspects of the course include interviews with ASL experts and advice for those considering a career in interpreting. You'll also find livestreams and interactive sessions that teach you additional hacks and tips to fast-track your learning process.

Practical learning is emphasized by incorporating real-life scenarios and methods to stay motivated. You'll explore how games, private conversations, dictionaries, and other resources can enhance your ASL skills. Additionally, advice is provided on avoiding common pitfalls and offers a robust framework for learning any new language.

Join "American Sign Language Basics" today and embark on a journey to mastering ASL, where each lesson is thoughtfully crafted to make your learning experience both enjoyable and effective.