| Learning American Sign Language online is fun and | | | | fast you want the game to go. The signing hits the |
| easy, and the best part is you can learn and practice | | | | video screen, and you choose the multiple-choice |
| at your own pace. Depending on your goal, you can | | | | answer you think is the match. There's no grading and |
| even learn ASL for free at a number of websites. | | | | you can't flunk, but you can always try again. |
| That may be enough if you want to communicate with | | | | There are sites that offer a free six-day course to |
| someone in the deaf community for personal reasons. | | | | test out its method of teaching ASL. If you like it, the |
| If you need certification for your job, online interactive | | | | entire course is available on DVD , or it can be |
| courses are available at reasonable costs. | | | | downloaded and accessed immediately for about half |
| There are plenty of places online to start. There are | | | | the cost. |
| free sites designed to help teach ASL that have | | | | Most people who have experience with American |
| extensive video libraries where words, common | | | | Sign Language advise learning it from someone who is |
| phrases, and everyday conversation can be instantly | | | | deaf. "Dr. Bill,'' whose real name is William G. Vicars, isn't |
| accessed and displayed. There are demos for | | | | legally deaf, but he's hard of hearing, has a wife and |
| phrases relating to everything from animals to sports. | | | | daughter who are deaf, and has been teaching ASL |
| If you want to go at your own pace and have fun in | | | | at the college level for over 18 years. Dr. Bill's website |
| the process, you can do that online easily. What's cool | | | | offers perhaps the widest range of free learning tools |
| about going online to learn ASL is that you can start | | | | on the Internet. Through what he calls ASL University, |
| out with games, which is a neat way to learn | | | | you can start by learning 100 of the most commonly |
| something without feeling like you are in school. Videos | | | | used signs. There are caricatures, still photos of Dr. Bill |
| can also be run in half-speed as many times as you | | | | demonstrating, and animations of all the signs. |
| want, so you sign along over and over until you really | | | | Then you can move on to the 40-lesson plan he has |
| get it. | | | | developed through his own experience. One thing you |
| For example, with the Rocket Language's | | | | will learn is there is no direct connection to the spoken |
| "MegaSpelling" game, you run videos of the alphabet, | | | | phrases and how they are communicated in ASL. |
| 200 common names, and 100 common words. You | | | | Here are a couple of examples: If you were speaking, |
| can then test your knowledge in any of the categories. | | | | you would say "That boy and girl will get married |
| When a video appears, type in what you think is being | | | | someday." Using ASL, you would form the gestures |
| signed, hit submit, and see if you're right. | | | | that signal: that 2-boy girl future marriage. Another |
| A second game in the learning series, called | | | | example is both fun and easy, and can give you a |
| "MegaSign," has over 1,500 words and phrases divided | | | | glimpse of the different world of the deaf. To say "My |
| into 15 topics. Players select which topic or a | | | | brother likes a bath" you would sign: "My brother like |
| combination of, they wish to be tested on, and how | | | | hot wash. |