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Sunday, March 23rd
We often highlight Rocket Languages because they offer thorough lessons that you only need to pay for once - there's no subscription model involved. They offer more than 12 different languages to learners all over the globe, including ASL. Keep reading to see how Rocket Sign Language stacks up against other ASL lessons.
Free trial on all languages
We suggest you start by making a free account with Rocket Languages. This lets you access a sampling of lessons in all languages they offer, even ASL. This way, you can see if their teaching style works for you and if you enjoy it.
7 modules
Rocket Languages offers just 1 level of ASL, containing 7 modules. Module 1 covers basics, the Deaf community, the alphabet, and basic conversation. Module 2 focuses on signing space, fingerspelling, non-manual markers, and practical skills. Module 3 expands on sentence structure, questions, jobs, feelings, and colors. Module 4 tackles complex sentences, negation, plurals, family, socializing, and travel. Module 5 explores ASL inflections, directional verbs, classifiers, clothes, health, and school. Module 6 introduces conjunctions, interjections, rhetorical questions, and topics like food and shopping. Module 7 delves into comparisons, pronouns, ASL idioms, slang, weather, hobbies, and religion. After these modules, you'll be knowledgeable in basic, practical ASL use.
Lessons are thorough
We're fans of Rocket Languages because of how thorough and detailed their lessons are. Rather than just throwing you into a video lesson and hoping you grasp it, each module contains plenty of thoughtfully written text-based lessons. These lessons explain the culture, etiquette, and history of the language you're learning. ASL is no different. In the first lesson, we enjoyed learning about the three different types of sign names. In the Deaf community, you might have a sign name to avoid constantly fingerspelling your name. There are two main types: arbitrary and descriptive. Arbitrary signs relate to your written name, typically using the first or last letter placed on your chest or shoulder. Descriptive signs, however, are linked to your physical features, personality traits, hobbies, or interests. It's customary for a deaf person to assign you a descriptive sign name.
Vocabulary is taught in context
As you progress through the written lessons, you'll encounter contextually relevant videos of ASL phrases, followed by individual videos of each word used. You can slow the videos down to .5x speed, too. At the end of the lesson, you'll review the videos and match them with their correct translations.
No need to subscribe
The nice thing about Rocket Languages is that once you've bought a course, you have access to it for life. That means you won't sit up in bed one night five years from now and remember how much money you wasted on that subscription you bought and never used. It's just a one-time fee of $99.95, or $59.95.
Could stand to be updated more often
Rocket Languages updates their courses every once in a while. The last update of the ASL course was about 2 years ago from the time of this review. We do wish the updates happened a little more frequently, because ASL is always changing, and new signs emerge that reflect current events.
60 days to decide
You're the best judge of how well Rocket Sign Language suits your learning style. There aren't many reviews from others, but most rate the ASL lessons with five stars. Don't worry about making a mistake; you have 60 days after buying to ask for your money back if you decide it's not right for you.
Not a bad choice
In general, Rocket Sign Language is a great choice if you don't like costly subscriptions or automatic renewals. If you prefer paying once, this might be the best choice for you. It may not have all the fancy features of some sign language platforms, but Rocket's lessons are comprehensive, easy to understand, and provide a good start to learning sign language.
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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