Online Sites to Learn American Sign Language (ASL)

Sign language is a vital part of anyone life if they are deaf. The use of sign language helps improve the life of the deaf and at the same time gives their family members a way to communicate quickly without the use of pads of paper or any writing at all. The lack of knowledge about sign language today is shocking really. Emergency workers and lots of schools dont have anyone on hand that can understand or speak sign language - making it hard to treat or know exactly what someone who has become accustomed to signing is trying to say. Now there are many books and places to learn how to sign online. Learning a few of the most important words would be great to know just in case someone who has to sign comes up to you, you will know how to help.

ASLU | http://www.lifeprint.com/ - Lifeprint is a large dictionary of sign words. This site teaches you the signs though the use of pictures for each step, and an animated GIF file to see it in action. The main issue about this is the gifs sometimes wont load smoothly and the pictures can become large. It has a nice site feature to learn the "First 100 Signs" that anyone should know, also making sample sentences of these signs.

American Sign Language Browser - This sign language site is a simple site where you select a-z then find the word you are looking for. My main issues in why this site isnt as good as the others is because there isnt a search option. Not only that all the signs are a small Quicktime video that takes a long time to open and then is a very small almost thumbnail view making it low quality and not very nice to learn from.

ASLPro - ASLPro is a great site that is also in the A-Z format. You then go down the list looking for the word you wish to learn. This site uses quick flash players with many options. The load times are small and the site works quickly, making it one of the best of the options. It also has one of the first ever mobile phone directory.

SigningSavvy - SigningSavvy is a great site because of its word and phrase search filter. It allows you to see whole phrases pieced together. The videos are very professional and very exact making it easy to learn how to sign. The major drawback to this site is they like people to create accounts and log in, and they also push for members to become premium members (for $10 a month, $25 for 4 months, $50 for a year.)

HandSpeak - One of my favorites of all these sites, HandSpeak is a search yourself open dictionary. Every word is in a video that will load quickly and is basic, very easy to use. They offer many things including baby signs and other useful information. There is an account log in if you wish to have an account there and it really is nice for even slower computers (dialup still not suggested.)

Some people still like books and books are a great way to learn how to Sign step by step for a beginner. They really do come in "Handy" when you dont have a computer around (I had to say it.) Here is a selection of books that are great ones to learn from and also are at a great price compared to some really overpriced versions.