How Long Does It Take to Learn Sign Language?

Learning sign language is a journey that requires time, practice, and dedication. This applies to all sign languages, including American Sign Language (ASL).

The process of mastering ASL, much like any other language, varies greatly from person to person. 

You might not have the same goals when learning ASL as others. For some, the goal may be to achieve basic conversational skills. Others may aspire to reach full fluency. 

So, how long does it take to learn sign language for most people?

You can't exactly learn sign language in a month. Even basic language skills require a few months of learning and practice.

But, to be fluent in ASL, you will need a few years to master this sign language. 

Understanding the time commitment and the factors that influence the learning process can help you set realistic expectations. Read on to learn more.

How Long Does It Take to Learn ASL?

So, you want to learn American Sign Language (ASL). You're wondering how long it takes to learn ASL.

First, you must ask yourself how proficient you want to become. 

If you want to learn basic ASL, it will take you three to six months. Basic ASL knowledge includes:

• The alphabet
• Fingerspelling
• Common phrases and greetings
• Introducing yourself
• Asking simple questions 
• Basic sentence structure
• Basic vocabulary

The next level of ASL proficiency is the intermediate level. 

This requires you to learn American Sign Language on a much deeper level, and it takes at least one year to master. Depending on your learning style, it can even take you two years. 

If you learn ASL for at least two years, you will be able to:

• Talk about everyday contexts and abstract concepts
• Form complex sentence structures
• Take part in detailed discussions
• Express ideas with greater fluency 
• Engage with the deaf community

How Long Does It Take to Become Fluent in ASL?

If you want to become fluent in ASL, it will require a lot more time and dedication. 

Being fluent in ASL means you can sign comfortably in most situations and understand native signers at normal speed. 

But, this level of proficiency requires years and years of learning and practice. You will need three to seven years of learning to reach this level.

This is what you will be able to do as a fluent ASL signer:

1. Communicate naturally with ASL native users
2. Easily form and understand complex sentence structures
3. Signing at a natural pace like native signers
4. Understand non-manual signs
5. Be familiar with regional signs and dialectical differences 
6. Have a profound understanding of the Deaf community and culture

Being fluent in ASL also means lifelong learning. 

It doesn't only allow you to use and understand ASL perfectly. It can also open new doors for professional opportunities.

You can work as an ASL interpreter, ASL instructor, deaf education specialist, etc. 

Factors That Affect How Long It Takes to Learn ASL

The time it takes to learn ASL can vary widely depending on several key factors. 

Here are the main factors that affect how long it might take someone to become proficient or fluent in ASL:

1. Learning goals
2. Learning environment
3. Practice frequency
4. Exposure to the sign language
5. Prior language proficiency
6. Access to resources
7. Motivation and dedication

Your learning goals can affect how much time you will spend learning ASL. Are your goals basic conversational skills or full fluency?

The learning environment is another important factor. 

Structured classes with a qualified instructor is always a better option if you want to learn quickly. You can also study ASL by yourself, but it might take you more time. 

Of course, regular, consistent practice is key.

Learners who practice daily or a few times a week will progress faster than those who practice less frequently.

Learners can benefit from regular interaction with native ASL users, especially within the Deaf community. This allows them to pick up the nuances, slang, and cultural aspects of ASL more quickly.

It helps if you have experience learning other languages. This especially applies to visual or signed languages. 

People who are already bilingual or multilingual often have a better understanding of language learning processes. This factor can help you learn ASL faster.

Access to high-quality learning materials can speed up the learning process. These could include textbooks, online courses, video tutorials, and language apps.

Another important factor is dedication and motivation.

The more motivation you have, the faster you will learn. It also helps to set clear goals and deadlines for certain milestones.

This can help maintain focus and speed up the progress.

How to Learn ASL Faster with ASL Bloom

While there are many ways to learn ASL, one of the most effective methods is with an ASL app. 

What you need is an app that is easy and fun to use and that won't make learning ASL feel like a chore. 

That's exactly the experience you will get with ASL Bloom. 

ASL Bloom is a free app that lets you learn ASL at your own pace. There is no pressure, so you can enjoy your ASL learning experience. 

ASL Bloom includes the following:

• 20 modules with 120 lessons 
• 1300+ signs and sentences
• Quizzes and dialogues
• Grammar and culture tips
• A visual dictionary with all signs across the lessons

You can download ASL Bloom on your Android and iPhone for free. 

This app is designed for ASL beginners. You don't need prior knowledge of American Sign Language to start learning.

Is American Sign Language Hard to Learn?

Just like with any language, learning sign language isn't easy, and it can't be done in one month. 

You need time to understand how sign language works and memorize all the different signs you need for an everyday conversation.

If you want to learn the basics of ASL, it will take three to six months. But if you want to become an ASL pro, you'll need a few years. 

The more you learn, the better you will become.

Start learning ASL today with the ASL Bloom app.