Classes and apps are good at different things. Knowing which is which saves you money and frustration, and helps you decide what to start with.
| App | Class or tutor | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily practice | Easy, anytime | Usually weekly |
| Vocabulary | Fast | Slower |
| Feedback on your signing | Limited | Yes |
| Real conversation | Rarely | Yes |
| Deaf culture | Some | Lots, especially with a Deaf teacher |
| Schedule | Yours | Fixed |
| Cost | Usually lower | Usually higher |
When an app is the right start
You're a beginner, your schedule is unpredictable, or you want to learn the alphabet and your first 100 signs before walking into a class. Apps are also the easiest way to keep up daily review between classes. If you're choosing one, see the best apps to learn sign language.
When you need a class
You want to hold real conversations, you need a certificate or course credit, or you've plateaued and need someone to correct your signing. Look for a class taught by a Deaf instructor if you can, through a community college, a Deaf community center, or an online program.
The combination that works
A few minutes a day in an app like Ziggy, one class or meetup a week, and our free dictionary for anything you forget. Before your first class, it helps to know the alphabet and how to introduce yourself.
If you can't get to a class
That's common, and it doesn't stop you. Practice with video, record yourself and compare, and look for online meetups. How to practice ASL without a signing partner
For the full path, read how to learn sign language.