Alexis Kestler
Learning sign language opens up a whole new world of communication and connection with the deaf and hard of hearing community. With over 70 million deaf people worldwide, sign language is a vital tool that enables the hearing impaired to fully express themselves and live more independently.
While there are many ways to learn sign language, mobile apps provide a convenient and accessible option for complete beginners to start building their skills. In just a few minutes a day, you can master the alphabet, expand your vocabulary, and learn proper hand shapes, movements and grammar.
In this comprehensive guide, we will highlight some of the best sign language learning apps for beginners and provide tips to supplement your app learning. Let‘s dive in!
Why Learn Sign Language?
Here are some of the key benefits of learning sign language:
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Communicate with the deaf/HOH community – Sign language allows you to bridge communication gaps and forge connections with the millions of deaf individuals around the world.
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Gain a new skill – Knowing sign language looks great on your resume and can open up job opportunities in education, social services and interpreting.
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Advance cognitive abilities – Studies show learning sign language enhances visual-spatial processing, creative thinking, memory and focus – especially in children.
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Teach babies basic communication – Using simple baby sign language allows pre-verbal infants to express needs and wants.
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An alternative mode of communication – Sign language gives those with speaking/hearing difficulties an effective way to communicate.
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Appreciate a rich culture – Learning sign language leads to a deeper understanding of the vibrant deaf community and its history.
No matter your reasons for learning, sign language is a fulfilling and empowering skill. Even learning a small amount can make a big difference.
Types of Sign Languages
Unlike spoken languages, sign languages are not universal and have regional dialects and variations just like spoken languages. Some of the major sign languages include:
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ASL – American Sign Language is used predominantly in the U.S. and Canada. It has its own distinct grammar and sentence structure separate from English.
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BSL – British Sign Language is used in the UK and has different signs, alphabet and grammar from ASL. It is used across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
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Auslan – Australian Sign Language is related to BSL but has evolved over time with influence from ASL and Irish SL.
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ISL – Indian Sign Language is used across India and has some influence from ASL and Chinese SL. There are also regional dialects.
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Chinese SL – Spoken Chinese has many dialects and this is also reflected in the vast regional variations in Chinese sign language.
It‘s important to learn the specific signs of the sign language you want to communicate in, rather than assuming signs are universal. Apps today make it easy to learn regional sign languages.
Tips for Beginners Learning Sign Language
When just starting out, keep these tips in mind to advance your sign language skills efficiently:
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Start simple – Begin with the alphabet and numbers before moving to basic vocabulary for common words and phrases. Mastering handshapes and movements for each letter will help when fingerspelling later.
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Pay attention to handshape and movement – Handshape, palm orientation, location and movement are all important. Strive for clarity and precision.
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Learn culture and grammar – Sign language has its own grammatical rules different than spoken language. Learn proper sentence structure and signing etiquette.
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Practice regularly – Daily practice for even a few minutes will help commit signs to your long-term memory. Practice fingerspelling and vocabulary out loud.
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Use visual aids – Flashcards, videos and photos help reinforce new signs. Draw symbols or diagrams to help you remember.
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Learn from native signers – Apps are great for beginners but also try to practice with fluent signers to improve expression and conversation skills.
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Immerse yourself – Supplement your app learning by watching sign language TV programs, following deaf creators on social media, and attending events.
Don‘t be intimidated starting out! With regular practice, sign language will soon start feeling natural.
Best Sign Language Learning Apps
Here are some excellent sign language learning apps for beginners to get started with the basics:
1. ASL Sign Language Dictionary
The ASL Sign Language Dictionary app by ASLized is one of the largest sign language dictionaries available for beginners. With over 4000 high-quality video signs, you‘ll master ASL vocabulary and deaf culture.
Key Features
- Over 4000 video signs with captions and definitions
- Quizzes and games to practice new signs
- Save favorite signs to your own vocabulary lists
- Track your learning progress
- Works offline without internet
Ideal For
True beginners just starting their ASL journey
Download
2. ASL Fingerspelling Practice
Mastering fingerspelling is a vital skill in ASL that allows you to spell out names and words letter-by-letter. This app from Simyaldea lets you practice fingerspelling at your own pace.
Key Features
- Practice fingerspelling entire words or just difficult letters
- Gets progressively harder across 30 levels
- Shows finger and hand position for each letter
- Lets you control speed and get instant feedback
- Earn stars for correct fingerspelling
Ideal For
Focused practice on mastering fingerspelling
Download
3. Learn ASL!
If you‘re a complete beginner, the step-by-step video lessons in Learn ASL! are perfect for getting started with basics like the alphabet, numbers, greetings and more.
Key Features
- Detailed beginner video lessons with native signers
- Covers alphabet, numbers, greetings, introductions and other everyday topics
- Create your own vocabulary flashcards to practice
- Review key concepts with quizzes
- Track your progress in the app
Ideal For
True ASL beginners needing step-by-step instruction
Download
4. ASL Sign Language Lessons
With over 400 in-depth lessons, the ASL Sign Language Lessons app is great for building on basics and progressing to intermediate skills.
Key Features
- Over 400 video lessons organized by difficulty level
- Covers vocabulary for settings like restaurant, doctor, emergencies etc.
- Quick reference dictionary of signs
- Save new signs you‘ve learned to your own vocabulary list
- Review key concepts with flashcards and quizzes
- Track your progress over time
Ideal For
Moving past beginner to intermediate skills
Download
5. Fun ASL
Using colorful illustrations and animation, Fun ASL teaches sign language in a way that engages kids and families. The app covers vocabulary like foods, animals, activities and more.
Key Features
- Illustrated video lessons featuring a friendly avatar
- Covers kid-relevant topics like colors, animals, food etc.
- Lets kids unlock prizes as they progress
- Additional resources for parents including guides and flashcards
- Can create multiple profiles for different family members
Ideal For
Engaging children and families in learning ASL together
Download
6. BSL Fingerspelling
Similar to the ASL Fingerspelling app mentioned above, this app by Signaloud focuses on helping learners master fingerspelling in British Sign Language.
Key Features
- Different difficulty levels to practice BSL fingerspelling
- Provides hint feature to show finger and hand positioning
- Lets you control practice speed
- Earn scores and stars for fingerspelling accuracy
- Stats page tracks overall fingerspelling improvement
Ideal For
Focused practice with fingerspelling in BSL
Download
7. Learn BSL
For those looking to learn British Sign Language, this app provides beginner-friendly video lessons combined with vocabulary flashcards, all taught by deaf tutors.
Key Features
- Video lessons for beginners cover alphabet, numbers, greetings etc.
- Review vocabulary by saving words to flashcard decks
- Track progress and review trouble spots
- All content taught by deaf tutors
Ideal For
Beginners wanting to learn British Sign Language
Download
Tips for Using Sign Language Learning Apps
To get the most out of sign language learning apps as a beginner, keep these tips in mind:
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Use apps daily – Spending just 5-10 minutes a day builds consistency. Set reminders if needed.
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Practice sign precision – Strive for accuracy in handshapes, movements and body placement when repeating signs.
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Supplement learning – Combine apps with conversations, videos, books etc. to immerse yourself further.
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Test knowledge – Use app features like flashcards, quizzes and fingerspelling practice to test retention.
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Learn culture/grammar – Don‘t just learn vocabulary. Also learn about deaf culture and grammatical structure.
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Find native signers – Practicing with proficient signers accelerates learning and improves conversational abilities.
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Repeat troublesome signs – Use features like flashcards to repeat signs you find difficult until they stick.
Conclusion
Learning sign language opens up a whole new way to communicate and connect with the amazing deaf and hard of hearing community. Mobile apps provide a fun, accessible way for complete beginners to start learning at their own pace. With regular practice, you‘ll be signing confidently in no time.
We hope this guide gave you some ideas of top-rated sign language learning apps to check out. Let us know if you have any favorite sign language apps we should include! Whether you are learning ASL, BSL or another sign language, apps combined with conversing, watching videos, and practicing with native signers will have you signing skillfully in no time.
