How to Learn Sign Language With a Podcast
Sign language is an intensely difficult but rewarding language for a non-deaf person to learn. It enables you to effectively communicate with an entire culture of people---the National Center for Health Statistics estimates that 2 million Americans are deaf. Though books are useful instructional aids, sign language is something that must be seen in motion to be fully appreciated and understood---for that reason, learning by watching videos and podcasts is one of the best options for personal, independent study of the language.
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Locate a set of podcasts that teach sign language, such as those offered by the School of Sign Language. You can also locate sign language podcasts through the iTunes store---search for "Sign Language" in the iTunes search engine, and look through the results for podcasts. Choose several podcasts and download them---try a variety, so you can experiment with which podcast you learn the most from. Once you choose a podcast series that suits you, stick with it---consistency in instruction is important.
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Watch the podcasts, either on your computer or a video-capable iPod or iPhone. Practice along with the video. Many instructional videos demonstrate a word or phrase while playing audio of that word or phrase---to test yourself, face away from the video, and sign along to the spoken portions. If possible, watch them with a partner who is also learning sign language---this way, you can test each other on your vocabulary and conversational skills before attempting to apply them in a real-world setting.
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Practice, practice, practice. Contrary to common misconception, sign language is not simply a signed version of English---it is a language all its own, with unique grammar, syntax and sentence structure. To become comfortable with this complex, nuanced language, you need to practice constantly to "un-learn" the rules of everyday spoken English that come so naturally.
Helpful as the Internet and podcasts may be for learning the basics, sign language is an integral part of Deaf culture---it ties the Deaf community together as its biggest unifying factor. Practicing sign language with its native "speakers" is the one true test of proficiency. Study Deaf culture carefully before you try this---just as sign language is fundamentally different from spoken English, Deaf culture has different social codes and manners than hearing culture.
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