American sign language is a beautiful, unique form of communication that, unfortunately, is not widely understood.
ASL has become a very popular way for people to connect with friends and family members who are deaf or have auditory impairments. Sadly, even though American sign language has been around for centuries, it is still not as commonly used as it should be. This leaves many people feeling isolated and left out of meaningful conversations.
The ASL Study app helps bridge the gap between those who know ASL and those who don’t. With this app, you will be able to learn all of the basics of ASL in no time.
So whether you’re planning to learn American sign language for yourself, for work, or to better communicate with a loved one, this ASL Study review discusses the app and if it should be at the top of your list to study ASL with.
What is ASL or American Sign Language?
American sign language, or ASL, is a language used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is a visual language that utilizes hand movements and body language and it focuses on facial expressions to convey messages. ASL is not a universal language, but it is the most commonly used sign language in the United States, making it one of the best skills to learn online.
There are approximately 250,000–500,000 ASL users in the United States and Canada, and this number is growing. ASL is a vital part of the deaf culture and community, and it plays an essential role in the education, employment, and socialization of deaf children and deaf people.
What is ASL Study?
It is an app with over 8500 words and 450 common sentences, and it has everything you need to start learning ASL. Plus, the easy-to-use interface makes your learning fun and engaging.
You won’t find a better way to learn ASL than with the ASL app. It is excellent for anyone looking to study ASL as it helps users learn about the date and time, weather, expressions, people and family, emotions, lifestyle, sports, food and cooking, holidays, transportation and travel, emergency situations, and education.
The ASL study app is a comprehensive resource for learning ASL. It includes quizzes to test your knowledge, making it an excellent tool for self-assessment and a great alternative to sign language classes.
The comprehensiveness of the app makes it great for people of all ages. Whether you’re a student, a working professional, or a retiree, this app is perfect for you. It’s also great for people who are already familiar with American sign language but want to improve their skills.
Pros:
- Beautifully made app with an extensive dictionary of signs
- More than 5000 available signs
- One-time purchase option
- One of the better paid-for apps out there for American Sign Language
- Accurate depiction of sign to word, phrase, or sentence
Cons:
- Some videos cut off at the beginning or end of the sign
- Check/circle and X’s symbology are hard to see for colorblind people
- Inconsistent teaching content—sometimes there are pictures and sometimes there are videos
- Not ideal for beginners—requires working knowledge
Overview
Overall, the ASL Study app is comprehensive and easy to use. The app includes an extensive dictionary of signs, quizzes, and videos. The app is also great for people who are already familiar with American sign language but want to improve their skills.
Ease of Use
The interface of the application is pretty straightforward. Upon opening the application, you’ll see three major sections: ASL study pack, basics, and categories.
ASL Study Pack
This section contains the advanced packs for study, as well as a favorites section where you can store key gestures and signs you’d like to revisit.
Basics
Here you can access the sign manual alphabet as well as numbers. This section is highly recommended if you’re only beginning your sign language journey.
Categories
The categories section allows you to tackle sign learning based on usage. For example, you’ll find categories such as dates, time, weather, sports, cooking, education, emergencies, and more.
This is great for people who like to learn from a use-case standpoint. Ideally, you will learn how to use the most appropriate sign language for your own situation.
Lesson Variety
The way the content is delivered is more or less the same throughout the entire scope of the app. When you click on a term or context to learn, you’ll be redirected to another page within the app, where an individual demonstrates the sign in video format.
Extra Features
While there are no outstanding extra features, there is different content that you can unlock through additional payment.
Pricing
The ASL Study app is free to download, with several basic lessons available for free. The downside, however, is that you’ll have to contend with many in-application ads. Now, if you’re not a fan of ads popping up, purchasing the advanced content removes the ads and opens up the entire app.
You can unlock additional communication categories and future updates in those categories for only $3.99. However, it might seem more practical to purchase the ASL Study Pack for $5.99, which unlocks everything on the application.
Pricing-wise, ASL Study is a small investment for a wealth of resources at your fingertips.
Customer Service
If you plan to contact the app’s customer service, the ASL Study app only has a “Contact Us” option in the application settings, where you can email the developer. There’s no live chat or FAQ section at the moment.
Who is it For?
Many people believe that American sign language is only for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, it is a language like any other, and anyone interested can learn it.
There are many reasons why someone might want to learn ASL, including the following:
People may want to communicate with friends or family members who are deaf or hard of hearing
Learning American sign language is essential for communicating with friends and family members who are deaf because it provides a means of communication that is not reliant on spoken language.
Individuals who are working with the deaf culture or community
The deaf community is a close-knit group of people who share a common culture and language. If you want to be a part of this community, it is vital to learn American sign language.
Those who are improving their career prospects
Many businesses now recognize the value of employees who can communicate in ASL. Knowing ASL can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
People who want to learn a beautiful language
ASL is a beautiful and expressive language, and it can be used by anyone, regardless of their hearing status. It can be enjoyed as a simple study of trying to learn another language.
Regardless of the reason, there is no doubt that learning ASL can be incredibly rewarding.
Will I Really Learn ASL with this App?
The short answer is yes. Users have verified the signs to be accurate to the words and expressions mentioned. Therefore, the application is a reliable resource for learning American sign language.
How to Download ASL Study
Downloading the ASL Study app is easy. First, open either the App Store or Play Store on your device. Next, type “ASL Study” into the search bar and press enter. Once the app comes up, click “Install” or “Get” and wait for the app to download. And that’s it! You’re ready to start learning ASL.
How Long Does it Take to Learn ASL Thoroughly?
American sign language is a complete language with its own grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. It is not a manual representation of spoken English and is not related to any spoken language.
Because ASL is so visually based, it can be learned relatively quickly by those committed to doing so. Most experts agree that it takes about three months to three years to achieve conversational proficiency. However, true mastery of ASL requires a lifetime of study, practice, and interaction with native language users.
Many resources are available for hearing people who want to learn ASL, including books, videos, online courses, and community programs. With a little effort, anyone can learn this fascinating and rewarding language.
Final Verdict
Is the ASL Study a valuable resource? Absolutely. We recommend this app for those looking for an interactive and hands-on way to learn ASL. It’s an affordable and in-depth program that will give you a great foundation in learning American sign language.
The ASL Study app is a great way to learn American sign language, whether you’re interested in communicating with friends or family members who are deaf or hard of hearing, working with the deaf community, or improving your career prospects.
The app is easy to use and provides a wealth of resources at your fingertips. In addition, users have verified the signs to be accurate to the words and expressions mentioned, making the application a reliable resource for learning American sign language.
