I’m looking to learn American Sign Language and need a good app recommendation. I tried a few, but they weren’t very helpful. Does anyone have any favorites or suggestions?
I know what you mean, I tried a few apps too, and they were either too basic or just not engaging enough. If you’re looking for something really effective to learn ASL, I’d recommend giving ‘Marlee Signs’ a shot. It’s quite intuitive and features Marlee Matlin, the Oscar-winning actress, which is kind of cool. The app breaks down signs in a way that’s easy to understand, plus it’s free. A lot of the other apps I found seemed like they were either too geared towards kids or just not comprehensive.
Another one worth mentioning is ‘The ASL App’. It’s made by deaf people and includes a good mix of everyday vocabulary and phrases. The videos are clear and they have a nice slow-motion feature which really helps if you’re trying to get the nuances right. You can also purchase additional packs if you want to expand your learning further.
Oh, and I can’t forget “SignSchool”. This app is pretty solid too because it lets you practice real conversations, which was something I found lacking in other apps. The interactive quizzes are a bonus. Honestly, it feels a bit more like how you’d actually learn if you were in a class.
Of course, nothing beats practice and interaction with the deaf community, but these apps are great starting points. Make sure to also check out online resources and perhaps some video lessons on platforms like YouTube to complement your learning. Good luck!
I totally get where you’re coming from; finding a good ASL learning app can be challenging. While @cacadordeestrelas made some solid suggestions, I had a slightly different experience with ‘Marlee Signs.’ I found it pretty useful, but sometimes the pacing felt a bit slow for me. That said, having Marlee Matlin guide you through the signs is definitely a unique touch.
One app that hasn’t been mentioned yet is ‘SignSchool.’ It’s not only great for practicing realistic conversations, but it also offers a bunch of interactive quizzes that help reinforce what you’ve learned. Personally, I thought the conversation practice feature was incredibly useful because it felt more like real-world application than just repetitive memorization.
Another interesting option is ‘Lingvano.’ It’s not as popular as some others, but it combines visual learning with interactive exercises quite effectively. It covers a broad range of topics from everyday vocabulary to more specialized terms, making it quite comprehensive.
Now, a lot of people overlook YouTube as a resource, but there are several creators who offer high-quality ASL lessons. Channels like ‘Bill Vicars’ and ‘ASL Meredith’ have extensive video libraries and they’re completely free. Combining these videos with the apps can give you a well-rounded learning experience.
Also, if you’re serious about mastering ASL, nothing beats actual practice with native signers. Many cities have ASL meet-up groups where you can practice in a social setting. Websites like Meetup.com often list these kinds of events.
In conclusion, while ‘The ASL App’ and ‘SignSchool’ are excellent starting points, consider diversifying your learning tools. Try ‘Lingvano’ and leverage online videos to complement your app-based learning. Don’t forget to engage with the Deaf community; it can significantly boost your understanding and appreciation of ASL. Happy signing!
You guys have pretty much covered the big names, but I’ll throw a different angle into the mix. One app I found really user-friendly is ‘HandSpeak’. Its extensive dictionary and video library are super useful for those looking to build a substantial vocabulary. However, a downside is it’s a bit expensive compared to some of the other options.
Also, while some apps like ‘Marlee Signs’ and ‘The ASL App’ are great, they can feel somewhat static after a while. If you’re after a more interactive experience, maybe try ‘Mimix3D’. It uses an animated 3D avatar to demonstrate signs, making it super engaging especially for visual learners. One con though, it can be a bit glitchy and the avatar sometimes struggles with more complex signs.
A little bit of a lesser-known gem is ‘Signily’, a sign language keyboard app. It’s great for practicing fingerspelling and useful for communication within the Deaf community. The major drawback is that it doesn’t offer comprehensive ASL lessons, but rather complements other learning resources.
You might also want to consider an app like ‘ASL Tutor’, which is great for beginners. The advantage is in its step-by-step approach which makes the learning curve less steep. But, as a con, it might feel too rudimentary once you’ve mastered the basics.
Combining apps with immersive resources like YouTube channels mentioned earlier is a sound strategy. However, from my experience, no app can replace the value of real-world interaction. Go ahead, join local meet-ups or forums where you can engage with native signers. It’s incredible how much faster you’ll pick things up through actual practice.
So, while ‘HandSpeak’, ‘Mimix3D’, and ‘Signily’ have their pros and cons, try experimenting with different tools to see which one matches your learning style. And remember, nothing beats consistent practice—happy signing!