Learning ASL is not simply gaining another communication method. You are opening the doors of accessibility and connecting with a beautiful, and often overlooked, culture. By adding ASL practice into your daily routine, you will not only enhance your skills, but also help foster personal growth and comfortability while using the language. Daily practice ensures your continuous learning and application leading to, hopefully, a mastery of this language.
Benefits of ASL Practice
First and foremost, practicing daily will significantly improve your ability to connect and communicate with the Deaf community. Learning ASL, like most languages, has also been shown to sharpen your cognitive skills. This lends to better memory retention, problem solving abilities, and attention to detail. Not only that, but learning a visual language can help hone your non-verbal communication skills outside of the Deaf community. It helps with conveying and understanding body language, facial expressions, etc. This can be beneficial in so many forms of communication.
Importance of Regular Practice
ASL is no exception to any other language learning. The key word here is consistency. Daily practice reinforces concepts you’ve already learned which helps as you further your knowledge. Use it, don’t lose it. It helps no one if you add more and more to your vocabulary bank but start forgetting words, phrases, and grammar along the way. If you want to remain sharp and keep your progress from plateauing… consistency is key.
Creative Ways to Include ASL Practice in Your Daily Routine
We’ve all felt the doom when something we once found interesting starts to feel like a chore. Practicing something everyday, especially on your own, can start to feel like a job all on its own. It can be hard to find motivation. It can be hard to find enjoyment with something that feels like never ending homework. Let’s take a look at some strategies you can utilize to keep learning ASL fun!
Using ASL Apps
Technology and the internet are beautiful tools in regards to language learning. One thing you can do is start using ASL apps*. These apps often include videos, quizzes, fingerspelling practice, and games at all levels. Whether free or paid apps, there is a world of technology at your fingertips to help you on your ASL learning journey.
Signing Along to Music or Videos
This one is a bit controversial. While I wouldn’t recommend signing to music and posting it on the internet (leave that to the Deaf professionals), one thing you can do with signing music is learning about the comparison between English and ASL. Songs shouldn’t be signed word for word. Learning how to drop form and sign the meaning is what's important. If you take your favorite song and break it down line by line, you’ll find that there is often a meaning behind the words themselves. This can be a good tool to help you practice translating your own thoughts and feelings within your head.
Conversing in ASL with Family or Friends
Of course, practicing ASL doesn’t always mean on your own. If you have friends or family that sign - practice with them! No matter your level, answering or asking basic questions is a game changer for both your receptive and expressive practice. As previously mentioned, the internet is a wonderful thing. If you want to make new friends and practice ASL at the same time, try searching for local ASL meetups. Most are open to students of all levels. They usually are marked if they aren’t. You’ll see something like “DNO” which often means “Deaf Night Out” listed on events that are Deaf/fluent signers only. But this is a great way to not only practice; it’s a way to start meeting the Deaf community on their terms. Try to remember, though, to respect the space. Deaf people are not there to teach you. They are often there to have quality community time as well.
Tips for Consistency and Progress in ASL Practice
As an end, these are things to remember while you’re studying ASL
*ASL Apps: The ASL App, ASL Bloom, Lingvano, Marlee Signs