ASL

The signs are divided into twelve groups of ten words. Each sign has its own video where students can learn and practice. Each section has its own review and testing where students can demonstrate their signing and recognition skills. As the course progresses, the review becomes more advanced and includes testing for three (3) groups at once. At the end, students are tested on ALL one hundred and twenty (120) signs learned throughout the course.

This course is designed to INCLUDE complete beginners without any prior knowledge of ASL. Previous ASL skills are welcome but NOT required.

Students will be able to understand and recognize all of the one hundred and twenty (120) signs.

Students will have a large vocabulary of signs to use when interacting with the Deaf community.

Students will feel more confident as they continue improving their ASL skills.

QUESTIONS:

What is the main focus of this course?

This course focuses on learning a large group of fundamental and basic signs in American Sign Language. Students will learn one hundred and twenty (120) of the most common signs used in ASL.

Do I need to have prior knowledge or experience with ASL before taking this class?

No. This course is designed to include complete beginners without any prior knowledge of ASL. All necessary signs are taught step by step in the course.

Will this course test me on what is taught?

Yes. This course contains multiple review and testing sections where students have the opportunity to demonstrate their ASL signing and recognition skills.

My name is Michael. When I was three years old, my younger brother became sick with spinal meningitis. In the process, my brother became deaf with an almost complete hearing loss. This difficult situation provided a unique opportunity for my family and I to become fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). My brother was not sent away to a deaf or hard of hearing school. He grew up with us, his hearing family, and we were active in the deaf community.

As a police officer and federal investigator, I often used ASL to communicate with and interpret for witnesses, victims, and perpetrators. I decided to create ASL courses because it’s a useful and practical skill to have. Like learning any language, it opens your mind and creates the ability to communicate with a whole new group of people.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Students will learn to sign and understand 120 essential signs in american sign language (asl).
Students will learn signs individually to ensure comprehension, correct hand shape, and hand position.

Students will be tested on their ability to sign and understand all material taught in the course.

Students will learn to sign and understand 120 essential signs in american sign language (asl).
Students will learn signs individually to ensure comprehension, correct hand shape, and hand position.
Students will be tested on their ability to sign and understand all material taught in the course.

Syllabus

Introduction

Course Introduction

Group 1 Signs

Explore - Group 1 Signs

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on fundamental signs, which provides a solid foundation for learners with no prior experience in American Sign Language

Develops a practical vocabulary of 120 signs, which enables learners to engage in basic conversations and interactions

Includes review and testing sections, which allows learners to demonstrate their signing and recognition skills at regular intervals

Aims to build confidence in using ASL, which encourages learners to continue developing their language skills and fluency

Each sign is presented with its own video, which allows students to visually learn and practice the correct hand shapes and positions

Teaches signs individually and in groups, which ensures comprehension of hand shapes, hand positions, and the ability to understand signs

Reviews summary

Essential asl vocabulary for beginners

According to learners, this course is a great starting point for anyone wanting to learn American Sign Language. Students found the instruction clear and easy to follow, making the basic signs simple to understand. The course is widely seen as perfect for complete beginners with no prior ASL experience. Many appreciated the well-structured content, which breaks down signs into manageable groups and offers helpful practice tests to reinforce learning. While the course successfully teaches the promised 120 signs, learners note it focuses solely on vocabulary and does not cover grammar or sentence structure. A few mention that occasionally, the video angles could make handshapes hard to distinguish.

Primarily focuses on individual signs.

"Be aware this course teaches individual signs, not grammar or how to form sentences."

"It's a vocabulary builder, which is exactly what it promises, but not a conversation course."

"Great for learning signs, but you'll need another resource to learn ASL structure."

Offers helpful review and testing sections.

"The practice and testing sections after each group of signs are really beneficial for retention."

"Testing on recognition and signing helps solidify learning."

"I liked the cumulative reviews that test multiple groups at once."

Covers essential and practical vocabulary.

"The 120 signs are fundamental and very useful for basic communication."

"I feel like the vocabulary selected is highly relevant for everyday interactions."

"Definitely a good set of first signs to learn if you want to start communicating."

Signs are taught step-by-step with clarity.

"The instructor is very clear and breaks down each sign effectively."

"Each sign has its own video which makes learning and practicing easy."

"I appreciate the detailed demonstration for each sign; it's very clear how to form them."

Well-suited for no prior ASL knowledge.

"As a complete beginner in ASL, I found this course incredibly accessible and easy to follow from the start."

"Perfect for someone with zero experience. It truly starts with the fundamentals you need."

"I had no prior ASL skills, and this course built my confidence sign by sign."

Some videos make handshapes hard to see.

"Occasionally, the angle of the video makes it difficult to clearly see the precise handshape or movement."

"I sometimes had to watch a sign multiple times to be sure I had the hand position correct."

"Could use alternative camera angles for some signs to improve visibility."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in ASL | First 120 Basic Signs | American Sign Language with these activities:

Review Fingerspelling Alphabet

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Review the fingerspelling alphabet to improve your ability to understand and communicate new words not covered in the course.

Browse courses on Fingerspelling

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Download a fingerspelling chart.
Practice spelling common words.
Watch videos of fingerspelling and try to decipher them.

Read 'The Joy of Signing'

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Supplement your learning with a comprehensive guide to ASL, providing a broader understanding of the language.

View The Joy of Signing: A Dictionary of American... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'The Joy of Signing'.
Review the introductory chapters on ASL grammar and culture.
Look up signs related to the course content.

Practice Sign Recognition Flashcards

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Reinforce your sign recognition skills through repetitive practice with flashcards.

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Create flashcards with the ASL signs on one side and the English translation on the other.
Review the flashcards regularly, focusing on signs you find difficult.
Ask a friend or family member to quiz you on the flashcards.

Four other activities

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Create a Video of Yourself Signing

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Solidify your understanding by creating a video demonstrating your ability to sign the 120 signs learned in the course.

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Plan a short script or sequence of signs to perform.
Record yourself signing the sequence.
Review the video and identify areas for improvement.
Re-record the video until you are satisfied with your performance.

Practice with a Study Partner

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Improve your signing fluency and comprehension by practicing with a study partner.

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Find a study partner who is also learning ASL.
Take turns signing and interpreting for each other.
Provide constructive feedback to each other.

Explore 'American Sign Language: A Comprehensive Dictionary'

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Expand your ASL vocabulary and understanding with a comprehensive dictionary of signs.

View American Sign Language Dictionary, Third Edition on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'American Sign Language: A Comprehensive Dictionary'.
Familiarize yourself with the dictionary's organization and features.
Use the dictionary to look up signs you encounter in real-life conversations or media.

Volunteer at a Deaf Community Event

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Immerse yourself in the Deaf community and practice your ASL skills in a real-world setting.

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Research local Deaf community organizations and events.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Participate in the event and interact with Deaf individuals using ASL.

Career center

Learners who complete ASL | First 120 Basic Signs | American Sign Language will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sign Language Interpreter

A sign language interpreter facilitates communication between deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals and hearing individuals. This role requires a strong command of American Sign Language, and this course helps build a foundation in basic ASL. This course focusing on one hundred twenty basic signs, provides crucial vocabulary and practice, which may increase confidence and fluency for those pursuing this field. The course's emphasis on sign recognition and production directly aligns with the skills necessary for effective interpreting. Furthermore, the course introduces vocabulary and basic signs, which an interpreter will need in any situation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sign Language Interpreter

Special Education Teacher

A special education teacher works with students who have a variety of learning differences, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. This particular course will be helpful to a special education teacher, since the course covers one hundred and twenty fundamental signs for daily communication. The course's video instruction and practical review sections can help educators gain the skills to effectively integrate ASL into their classroom environment. This course may assist educators in both teaching and engaging students who use ASL, fostering a more inclusive learning atmosphere.

See salaries and explore the career path for Special Education Teacher

Social Worker

Social workers help individuals and families navigate a variety of challenges, sometimes including those within the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. This course, focused on fundamental ASL vocabulary, could be helpful for a social worker to better connect with clients. The course's instruction, which includes repetition and practice, develops a foundation for future understanding and engagement with the Deaf community. Social workers who wish to engage with the Deaf community should seek every ability to learn to better communicate, and this course may be useful.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

A speech language pathologist assesses, diagnoses, and treats communication and swallowing disorders, and may work with individuals who use sign language. This course can be helpful to a speech language pathologist who wants to work with users of American Sign Language, providing an introduction to the language. The course's focus on building a baseline vocabulary of one hundred and twenty signs supports communication with clients. The practical review and testing sections in this course could be useful to one who wishes to understand signing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speech-Language Pathologist

Accessibility Specialist

An accessibility specialist works to ensure that products, services, and environments are accessible to people with disabilities. Learning basic American Sign Language may be valuable to an accessibility specialist. This course introduces fundamental vocabulary, and helps establish a basis for deeper understanding of the Deaf community. An accessibility specialist who wishes to create products and services for the Deaf community could benefit from this course, which focuses on one hundred and twenty common signs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accessibility Specialist

Recreational Therapist

Recreational therapists use leisure and recreational activities to improve the physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being of their clients. This course can be helpful to a recreational therapist who works with individuals from the Deaf community. This course teaches one hundred and twenty essential ASL signs, which could lead to more effective communication and engagement with participants. The course's emphasis on practical application of signs, through review and testing, may provide useful skills for recreational therapists.

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Community Outreach Coordinator

A community outreach coordinator develops and manages programs and initiatives to connect with members of the community. This course may be very useful for a community outreach coordinator who seeks to engage with the Deaf community. The course's teaching of one hundred and twenty basic ASL signs will help provide a basic foundation in this language. The practical nature of the course, with its review and testing sections, helps an outreach coordinator gain the communication skills they will need. The course is specifically intended for beginners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Outreach Coordinator

Human Resources Specialist

A human resources specialist is involved in recruitment, hiring, and employee relations. This course may be useful to a human resources specialist who wants to better communicate with members of the Deaf community. The course's teaching of one hundred and twenty basic American Sign Language signs helps build communication skills for those in this role. The course's structure may lead to more confident interactions with clients, potential employees, and employees.

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Customer Service Representative

A customer service representative interacts with customers to address their questions and concerns. This course may be valuable to a customer service representative who wishes to communicate more effectively with members of the Deaf community. The course focuses on teaching one hundred and twenty common signs, and this could help to facilitate communication. The course's structure also helps the student practice their skills through review and testing.

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Medical Assistant

A medical assistant performs administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare settings and interacts with patients daily. A medical assistant may find this course useful, as it provides one hundred and twenty common American Sign Language signs. This course can help a medical assistant better interact with patients from the Deaf community. The practice sections of this course could be valuable, as they focus on sign recognition and production.

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Teacher's Aide

A teacher's aide assists teachers with classroom management, instruction, and student supervision. This course could be useful for a teacher's aide who supports students who are deaf or hard of hearing by assisting them in learning and understanding American Sign Language. The course introduces one hundred and twenty common signs, which may directly assist in communication with students. Furthermore, the practical instruction and review sections of this course could lead to a more effective teaching environment.

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Translator

A translator converts written or spoken content from one language to another, and this may sometimes include translating American Sign Language. This course, focusing on one hundred and twenty basic signs, provides a foundation for those aspiring to a career in translation. While this course is not designed to create an expert translator, this course may be helpful in understanding the nuances and structure of ASL. The course's emphasis on visual learning and testing may align with the skills necessary for effective translation.

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Librarian

Librarians help people locate information, navigate resources, and promote literacy. This course could be useful to a librarian who serves a diverse community that includes Deaf or hard-of-hearing patrons. The course focuses on one hundred and twenty basic signs, which helps a librarian better connect with and assist people in their community. The course's instruction and practical exercises may help a librarian build awareness and understanding.

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Administrative Assistant

An administrative assistant performs a variety of clerical and organizational tasks to support an office or organization, and may at times need to interact with individuals who use ASL. This course may be useful for an administrative assistant who wants to be able to communicate with a wider audience. This course introduces one hundred and twenty basic signs, which could facilitate more effective communication in an office setting. The course's focus on practical application through review and testing may align with the skills needed for more inclusive communication.

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Camp Counselor

A camp counselor supervises children or young adults in recreational and educational activities. This course may be useful for a camp counselor who wants to better interact with campers who are deaf or hard of hearing. The course provides an introduction to American Sign Language and teaches one hundred and twenty basic signs which can be integrated into camp activities. The practical review and testing sections can also help a counselor gain confidence in their signing.

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First 120 Basic Signs | American Sign Language

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Essential asl vocabulary for beginners

Activities

Career center

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