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Beginner · Everyday foundations

Start with everyday American Sign Language.

Build a first routine with short, guided signing prompts for fingerspelling, meeting someone, and a simple check-in. Read the gloss, follow written practice cues, then work through each prompt at your own pace.

Explore the beginner lessons

A look inside the first unit

Three prompts for everyday foundations

Each activity includes a written gloss, starter cues, and a route into its matching signing prompt.

  1. Activity 1 of 3

    Fingerspell your name

    Practice clear, comfortable letter transitions with a name or familiar word.

    Written gloss

    fs-[YOUR NAME]

    Written practice cues

    • Use the handshape references you trust for each letter; no letter diagrams are supplied here.
    • Keep your hand in a comfortable signing space and move at a pace that feels clear.
    • Pause briefly between letters, then repeat the whole word without rushing.
    Practice this prompt: Fingerspell your name

  2. Activity 2 of 3

    Greet and introduce yourself

    Practice a brief greeting and a simple introduction.

    Written gloss

    HELLO. MY NAME fs-[YOUR NAME]. YOU NAME WHAT?

    Written practice cues

    • Let your face and attention match the greeting; signing includes more than hand movement.
    • Use the gloss as a written prompt, not a word-for-word English translation.
    • Leave a pause after your introduction so the other person has room to respond.
    Practice this prompt: Greet and introduce yourself

  3. Activity 3 of 3

    A short everyday check-in

    Rehearse a friendly question and a short response in a simple exchange.

    Written gloss

    YOU GOOD? GOOD, THANK-YOU. YOU?

    Written practice cues

    • Use a natural conversational expression while asking the question.
    • Keep the exchange relaxed and allow space between each turn.
    • Follow an educator’s guidance for facial grammar and regional variation.
    Practice this prompt: A short everyday check-in
Explore the complete lesson

Signing practice

Choose a prompt and review your own practice

The practice screen lets you select a prompt, repeat it, and move to the previous or next activity. You can also turn on an optional camera mirror that stays local to your device.

Practice at your own pace

Camera access is optional and starts only when you choose the local mirror.

Self-review choices

  • Try again
  • Practiced
  • Ready to move on

These choices record your own reflection. They are not sign correctness scoring or automated feedback. Saving practice history requires a signed-in Elite account.

Open signing practice

Learning-content note

Starter text, pending educator review

These written starter cues and glosses need review by an ASL-fluent educator before they can be treated as authoritative instruction. Demonstration videos are not available yet.