American Sign Language Lessons.
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h3>About ASL

American Sign Language (ASL) first arose in the early 19th century when a minister, Thomas Gallaudet, was attempting to teach his neighbor's deaf daughter how to read and write. Gallaudet visited the National Institute for Deaf-Mutes in Paris, then asked one of the professors to return with him to the United States.

Together they established the American School for the Deaf and developed ASL. Today, ASL is the fourth most studied language by American university students, but it’s not a universal language. In other words, signs differ between American, British, and French Sign Language.

There are even different ASL dialects in the United States, Canada, and other countries. It's also a language in its own right — not an exact, word-for-word equivalent of spoken English. Syntax and words can change meaning in American Sign Language depending on hand movements, expressions, and where a sign is placed in a person's signing space.

Why Learn Sign Language?

Many people learn sign language because they're part of the Deaf Community or because they wish to communicate more easily with deaf friends and family members. But you certainly don't have to know someone who is deaf to want to learn ASL. There are plenty of other reasons to get ASL lessons, too!

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires many businesses and services to provide ASL interpreters, so learning ASL will boost your resume in almost any industry. Knowing ASL also provides opportunities to help those around you. Consider volunteering at a local church or theater. Or, you can simply be prepared to assist a stranger when you’re out and about.

Learning how to sign is a deeply rewarding process, right from the start. You’ll be amazed at just how much you can communicate with signs, facial expressions, and body language. This opens our minds to the fact that communication is about much more than spoken words. And to top it off, just like learning a spoken language, studying ASL can improve your cognitive skills, increase your spatial awareness, give your brainpower a boost, and even enhance your memory.

With so many reasons to learn ASL, it’s no wonder so many students are turning to our sign language lessons!

What You'll Learn in American Sign Language Lessons

The prompt feedback, individual attention, and personalized curriculum you'll receive from a teacher in sign language will give you an advantage when learning this complex language. Many students find that private ASL lessons are more engaging and effective than large classroom settings.

When you study with a private ASL tutor, you have the opportunity to learn at your own pace and focus on whatever most interests you. Your teacher is 100% dedicated to you and your success, so you can ask all your questions and spend as much time as you need on each concept. With your ASL teacher’s help and guidance, you will be well on your way to mastering this language.

Sample Curriculum for Beginner ASL Lessons

In your first few sign language lessons for beginners, you can expect to study the following topics:

• Fingerspelling and numbers
• Basic vocabulary
• Commands and sentence structures
• Asking and requesting
• Providing clarifications
• Pluralization
• Classifiers

Sample Curriculum in Intermediate ASL Lessons

Intermediate lessons will likely cover the following topics:

• Complex grammar rules
• Communicating narratives
• Proper sequencing
• Conditionals
• Additional study of the Deaf Culture and Community

Sample Curriculum for Advanced American Sign Language Lessons

Classes may cover the following topics:

• Improve conversational skills
• Describe complex situations and processes
• Discuss hypotheticals
• Use character role shifting
• Develop simultaneous interpretation skills

Find ASL Lessons Near You

What are you waiting for? Sign up for ASL lessons near you today to start learning this visual language. Here at TakeLessons, we strive to make learning ASL convenient and affordable for all our students.

For starters, we offer in-person and online lessons, meaning you can meet with an ASL teacher on your watch. Whether you want to meet in a classroom setting on the weekends or log online and virtually attend classes in the evenings after work, you’ll find an ASL tutor who can accommodate your schedule.

Next, we believe it’s important to work with an ASL teacher who aligns with your preferences. That’s why we let you browse through our inventory of certified teachers to find the ideal one for you and your studies. You can read their bios, check out reviews from past students, inquire about their availability, and even connect with them in advance to ensure they’re a good fit.

Learning ASL is an extremely rewarding journey, and it’s time for you to experience it for yourself. Sign up for sign language lessons with us today and take advantage of our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.