How Difficult is it to Learn ASL?

Learning any new language will always present a few difficulties. However, there are steps anyone can take for learning American Sign Language (ASL) or any new language. Most people want to learn ASL for communicating with deaf or hearing-impaired persons, which provides not only new options for communicating but opportunities for connecting with others or finding new employment.

Students also have options for formal training in ASL. Training inside a classroom provides the advantage of being able to personally interact with an instructor and other students. In contrast, live online training provides the option of getting hands-on training in ASL from expert instructors while staying at home.

Learning American Sign Language trains individuals in how to communicate with the deaf and hearing impaired as well as exploring alternatives for working with children who do not necessarily have hearing disorders but do have difficulties with comprehending spoken English. Part of training in ASL involves exploring aspects of Deaf culture along with how sign language is an essential component in everyday communications.

What is ASL?

American Sign Language is a language meant to be seen in contrast with other languages that are meant to be heard. ASL is a language separate from others because it is intended to help people communicate through hand motions, shapes, and placements combined with facial expressions and body movements. This visual language possesses its own grammar and syntax. Knowing ASL allows people with or without a hearing impairment to become involved in activities that may enrich their lives.

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However, ASL is not a universal language with other countries and regions throughout the world having their own sign languages, including the British Sign Language (BSL) and the French Sign Language (FSL), which also possess different dialects like many spoken languages. People communicate using ASL mainly in the United States, areas of Canada, and parts of Africa and Asia.

Benefits of Learning ASL?

People can benefit from learning American Sign Language in several ways. As with any person learning any new language, ASL contributes to improving brain functions by opening new ways of thinking and communicating. A good reason for learning ASL would be for helping the deaf, others experiencing hearing difficulties, or loved ones who are deaf or hearing impaired. Acquiring skills with ASL can also be used for helping in community functions or finding a new career. Skills in ASL can lead to working as an Interpreter working in education, the media, a corporation, or at religious services.

This visual language possesses its own syntax and grammar. High schools, universities, and other institutions of learning throughout the country accept ASL as a foreign language requirement needed for graduating. As with many languages, ASL possesses accents and dialects depending on where someone lives or whatever group or socio-economic environment may affect a person’s way of communicating, including age and other factors.

What Are the Hardest Parts of Learning ASL?

Learning any new language can be difficult simply because a person has to learn new patterns and rules inherent with communicating. American Sign Language differs from the English language in that it is a visual language not phonetic. ASL possesses its own grammatical structures and syntax.

Learning ASL is more than simply learning finger signing. Part of using the language includes facial expressions and body movements. Therefore, it’s a good idea for anyone learning ASL to pay attention to people’s faces and body language, which is among the keys for communication with ASL. Communicating with ASL, or any spoken language for that matter, involves how people’s facial or body language either confirms or contradicts what they have stated.

ASL is a language for the eyes instead of the ears. It is a language different from spoken English because of its emphasis on what is seen and not what is heard. High schools, universities, and other educational institutions in the United States now accept ASL as a foreign language requirement needed for graduation.

As with any language, ASL possesses regional accents and dialects depending upon where individuals live or whatever group they may belong as well as social economic circumstances, age, or other factors.

Preparing to Learn American Sign Language

As with any language, American Sign Language has its own rules for grammar and syntax, so it’s essential that new students get comfortable with the basic techniques for communicating through signing, which includes fingerspelling, facial expressions, and body language.

For example, learning ASL inside a classroom allows students to be able to make eye contact or pick up on subtle body movements, which is especially important in a course for learning a visual language. Live online training for ASL provides the convenience of learning sign language from home for communication and contributing within the Deaf community for personal, social, or professional reasons.

Find ASL Online Videos

Anyone interested in learning American Sign Language can initiate their training by watching online videos, seeking advice from people with knowledge in sign language, or finding a tutor. Any of these approaches will take whatever time the student is willing to put in for learning ASL.

Practice Basic ASL Techniques

In preparing for training in American Sign Language, it is essential to learn fingerspelling, which people can practice by spelling objects surrounding them to sharpen their skills. This includes learning basic words and phrases for signing.

Key Takeaways

Learning any new language is typically difficult, but anyone interested in American Sign Language can take steps to help with training.
ASL is a language for the eyes compared to spoken languages that are meant to be heard.
People can benefit from learning American Sign Language to improve brain functions.
Learning any new language can be difficult simply because a person has to learn new patterns and rules inherent with any communication.
As with any language, American Sign Language has its own rules for grammar and syntax.