Learning American Sign Language (ASL)

American Sign Language (ASL) is the third most common language used in the United States behind English and Spanish and continues to be one of the fastest growing languages of study in the U.S.

American Sign Language is different from spoken languages because it is a visual language and it is difficult, if not impossible to learn ASL from a book alone. Static images on a page and text just do not convey the flow and motion of the language. Using Signing Savvy's video dictionary and related tools can help you learn and practice sign language. It is also a great reference to use on-the-fly when you need to know a particular sign.

There are many ways to use Signing Savvy to improve your signing vocabulary.

Use Signing Savvy in a variety of ways to practice your sign language skills, including:

  • Search the dictionary for signs you can't remember or don't know. Watch the video and read the sign descriptions and memory aids.
  • Go through our list of categories under "Browse Signs" to learn a group of related signs.
  • Use the printing feature to print sign flash cards to practice while you are away from your computer.
  • Create your own word Lists of signs you wish to learn and review.

Practice is the key to learning. The more you practice the more comfortable you will feel when signing and the easier it will be for you to remember signs.

For more help learning American Sign Language, try more formal instruction.

Signing Savvy is a resource and reference tool that you can use to increase your vocabulary or improve your everyday signing skills. While it is a very helpful aid while you are learning and/or practicing signing, it is not meant to be the primary teaching tool.

We highly encourage you to take a sign language course from a local school, college, university, community center, or online (see below). Signing Savvy makes an excellent tool and resource to use in conjunction with any sign language course.

Courses in ASL are sometimes difficult to find close to home. Signing Online (not affiliated with Signing Savvy) offers affordable, online instruction in American Sign Language that will give the basic skills you need to become fluent in ASL. Upon completion of their courses, you will know how to greet people, ask questions, describe things, tell stories, name things, express your feelings, and much more. You will have learned over 800 signs and know how to put them together to carry on meaningful conversations in ASL. Visit Signing Online for more information about their courses.