For anyone considering training to learn American Sign Language (ASL), learning the fundamentals can take anywhere from 60- to 90 hours. This would compare to about three to six months of initial training in a spoken foreign language.
However, learning ASL is not necessarily easier than learning a spoken language and can take two to three years to gain beginning-level to intermediate skills. According to the website Handspeak.com, moving from an intermediate to a fluent skill level will add on another two years of ASL training. Gaining complete fluency will take more years following graduation from an accredited ASL program.
What is ASL?
American Sign Language is a language for the eyes in contrast to most others being meant to be heard. ASL is a language separate from others in that it is intended to help people communicate through hand motions, shapes, and placement combined with facial expressions and body movements. This visual language possesses its own grammar and syntax system. Knowledge in ASL allows people with or without hearing impairments to become involved in a variety of activities that can expand their experience in life.
However, ASL is not a universal language as other countries and regions around the world have their own sign languages, including the British Sign Language (BSL) and the French Sign Language (FSL), which possess different dialects similar to spoken languages. People communicate through ASL mainly in the United States, areas of Canada, and parts of Africa and Asia.
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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 up new ways of thinking along with new methods for communicating. Of course, the main reason for learning ASL would be for helping someone who is deaf, experiencing hearing loss, or who may have loved ones who are deaf or hearing impaired. However, acquiring skills in ASL can also be used for helping with community services or finding new work. Careers related to skills with ASL include becoming an Interpreter for a government agency, corporation, church, media outlet, or academic institution.
This visual language possesses its own grammar and syntax system. High schools, universities, and other educational institutions in the United States accept ASL as a foreign language requirement needed for graduation. As with many languages, ASL possesses accents and dialects depending on where an individual lives or whatever group or socio-economic environment may affect a person’s way of communicating, including age and other factors.
Average Time It Takes to Learn ASL
Initial training for American Sign Language can take anywhere from 60 to 90 hours, which includes memorizing the ASL alphabet. More thorough beginning-level to intermediate training for ASL can take two to three years to complete. Moving from an intermediate to an advanced skill level may take another two years of training.
Other Factors
The duration and level of training for ASL depends on a person’s reasons for wanting to pick up the language, which can be used for communicating with a loved one who may either be deaf or hearing impaired. Other factors affecting the length of time involved in learning ASL include an individual’s language aptitude or objectives. Skills with ASL can lead to acting as a volunteer interpreter for church services, which may differ from a person hoping to find a career as an ASL interpreter.
Initial Training for ASL
Anyone interested in learning American Sign Language can initiate training by watching free online videos, getting advice from people with knowledge in sign language, or finding a tutor. Any of these approaches will take whatever time the new learner is willing to devote.
Beginner-Level Training for ASL
Formal training for learning the fundamentals of American Sign Language can typically take between 60 and 90 hours. This mainly consists of lessons for fingerspelling and signing, which is the foundation of the ASL alphabet.
Intermediate Training for ASL
Reaching the intermediate level of skills with American Sign Language can take anywhere from two to three years. An intermediate skill level with ASL means being able to understand and express ideas in conversation.
Gaining Fluency in ASL
Fluency in ASL typically requires up to four to five total years of training, including two to three years after having reached an intermediate skill level.
What to Know Before Learning ASL
Learning any new language will always present a few difficulties. However, there are steps any new student can take with learning American Sign Language or any new language, for that matter. Most people want to learn ASL for communicating with the deaf and hearing impaired, which provides not only new communication options but opportunities for connecting with others as well as finding a career.
Enrolling in ASL courses is an obvious first step. Anyone interested can enroll in courses at local colleges in-person, take live online classes, find free online seminars, or watch free video tutorials. In learning American Sign Language, students will need to know the basic vocabulary for signing. In preparing for training in American Sign Language, it’s essential for students to gain a command of fingerspelling, which can be helped with practicing spelling for basic objects surrounding them for help with sharpening language skills. This includes learning the basics like “hello, ” “please, ” or “thank you.” New students must also learn the ASL alphabet. Knowing the ASL alphabet allows a person to sign any word, which means that if they have forgotten a certain sign, they will be able to spell it out.
The cost for training in American Sign Language can vary depending on the method of training a person decides to take. People can train themselves for free through online seminars and video tutorials while formal training can range from costs as low as $50 to thousands for an undergraduate degree from colleges and universities throughout the U.S. that includes schools as large as the University of Kansas.
Can I Learn ASL for Free / on My Own?
While many people may be interested in learning ASL, work schedules or other obligations might not allow an individual to enroll in classes. However, there are free online options available for anyone who would like to pick up new language skills. Several online education providers offer free seminars, YouTube videos, and blog posts. Anyone interested can sign up for American Sign Language Level 1, which is available from Skillshare as an on-demand training seminar that is free with a 30-day trial. This course trains students in the fundamentals of ASL with lessons on the origins of American Sign Language, the sign alphabet and fingerspelling, family signs, verbs, and key nouns. Topics discussed include colors, animals, foods and drinks, and careers related to ASL.
Key Takeaways
- Initial training to learn the fundamentals of American Sign Language can take anywhere from 60 to 90 hours.
- Training for beginning to intermediate skills for ASL can take up to two to three years.
- ASL is a language separate from others in that it is intended to help people communicate through hand motions, shapes, and placement combined with facial expressions and body movements.
- People can benefit from learning ASL for improving brain functions as a way for opening up new ways of thinking.
- The duration and level of training for ASL depends on a person’s reasons for wanting to learn the language, which could include communicating with loved ones who are either deaf or hearing impaired.
- Learning any new language will always present a few difficulties.
- There are free online options for anyone interested in learning ASL, including free online seminars, YouTube videos, and blog posts.