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Wednesday, March 26th
ASL Deafined is a subscription-based platform offering American Sign Language video lessons for all ages. As a user, you'll be learning ASL from Deaf experts who believe that the best way to learn is from a deaf person. This platform isn't exclusive to a particular group or age; it's designed for everyone, including deaf students, parents with deaf children, and the larger community. So, whether you're a student, a parent, or just interested in ASL, the goal of ASL Deafined is to present sign language in a way that's easy for you to learn.
$36 annually
If you're affiliated with an educational institution, you can subscribe to ASL Deafined for only $12 per year. If not, the subscription costs $36 annually. With this subscription, you also gain access to their app without any extra charge, and it's available on both iOS and Google Play. If at any point you're unhappy with the service, you can simply email them and they'll refund your money.
3-day free trial with second chance
When you register for ASL Deafined, you'll get a free 3-day trial. During the registration process, you'll be asked about your current ASL proficiency and what type of user you are - are you a community/ASL student, a parent of a deaf child, or a deaf/hard of hearing student? What's really cool about ASL Deafined is that they offer a "second chance" for a free trial. All you need to do is provide your email again. We think this gesture really shows their commitment to helping you learn ASL.
Extensive features
In addition to videos taught by Deaf experts, ASL Deafined has more than 300 lessons and different review activities to help you remember what you learned. There's also a video dictionary over 18,000 words - including some of their variations. You can track your learning progress, save words you want to remember, and mark your favorite pages on the website.
May feel cluttered
The website offers a lot of content, with six pages of results for Beginner lesson topics alone. That's not to mention what you'll find in Intermediate, Advanced, and Advanced Plus. However, its organization might feel a bit overwhelming. Quizzes are mixed in with lessons, and the cover images for each lesson and quiz vary in style, which can be visually chaotic. For a less cluttered view, you can go to the Lesson List tab, which simply presents a neat list of clickable links.
Annoying popup
Ideally, we think language learning platforms should let you move from one lesson to the next in a clear pathway customized to your progress. Here, though, you need to close the lesson you're on and return to the dashboard, then choose your next lesson. Annoyingly, every time you go back to the dashboard, a popup appears detailing the features of ASL Deafined. (Hopefully this stops happening after you upgrade your account.)
No lessons on past tense at time of review
We did notice a lesson topic or two were strangely empty. We were curious about how to talk about something happening in the past in ASL, so we typed "tense” into the search bar, which brought up the "Tense Markers” lesson topic. However, it was tagged "Coming Soon” and there were no videos, text-based lessons, or quizzes inside. We found this surprising - we'd have thought that an understanding of how to sign in the past tense would be necessary to understand some of the more advanced topics hosted on the site: not to be morbid, but take "Obituary” for example.
Affordable and well-liked
According to their client testimonials tab, ASL Deafined's technical support is great, kids find it engaging, parents find it easy to monitor progress, and ASL students find it a great resource for home study. The app has good reviews, too. We think the price is great for all the information you get, although we still think the website could be organized a little better so as not to overwhelm a new user. But, once you've got the hang of the site layout, it could prove to be an invaluable resource in learning ASL.
Maybe you've decided to learn sign language because you have a deaf child, or perhaps there's a new student at your school who is hard of hearing and you'd like to befriend them. Or it could be that you're simply fascinated by this beautiful, expressive language and want to expand your communication skills. Whatever your reason, learning sign language opens up a new realm of possibilities for connection and understanding.
Learning sign language is unlike picking up any spoken language. You're not just memorizing vocabulary and grammar; you're learning to convey and interpret messages through gestures, facial expressions, and body language. Imagine expressing complex emotions or detailed narratives with your hands and face - it's a whole new way of thinking and communicating.
Also, keep in mind that sign language is not universal; each country, and sometimes regions within countries, has its own sign language with distinct rules and grammar. This means that learning American Sign Language won't necessarily enable you to communicate with someone who uses British Sign Language (BSL), for example.
Online sign language lessons have surged in popularity over the years. This can be attributed to several reasons that make these lessons an attractive option for a diverse range of learners. But one of the main reasons for the popularity of online sign language lessons is the unparalleled convenience they offer.
Sign language learners can access courses over the internet from anywhere in the world, eliminating the need for physical attendance at specific locations. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for people with busy schedules, letting them learn at their own pace and at times that suit their personal and professional commitments.
Another reason why online sign language lessons are so popular is they can provide a wealth of resources and interactive tools that enhance the learning experience. These can include video tutorials, live classes, interactive exercises, and community forums, all designed to foster a deeper understanding and proficiency in sign language.
The multimedia approach of online sign language lessons caters to different learning styles, ensuring that both visual and auditory learners can all benefit from the courses. High-quality video demonstrations by native signers help learners grasp the nuances of signs, facial expressions, and body language, which are crucial aspects of effective communication in sign language.
If you're considering online sign language lessons, you'll find them a flexible, accessible way to learn. Maybe your schedule is packed, and you need to fit lessons in between other commitments. Or you live in a place without a strong Deaf or hard-of-hearing community to practice with. Online lessons offer the chance to learn from the comfort of your home, with resources like video tutorials that show you exactly how to form each sign, and interactive courses that provide feedback on your signing skills.
When you're choosing an online sign language course, keep these points in mind:
Top Consumer Reviews has taken a close look at the available options and ranked the best sign language lessons to help you on your way. Whether you're just starting or looking to deepen your knowledge, we hope this guide aids you in finding the perfect sign language lessons to fit your life and learning goals.
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