This is the site that I use with my Sign Language class. It has some of the links suggested by other people here, but a lot more:

http://www.rccsd.org/RKeim/asl_dictionary_sites.htm

I alos recommend talking with the interpreters and with the student himself. Chances are excellent that they will all want to help you!

I agree that you can not teach yourself ASL from a book or by looking at websites. I started learning ASL about 8 years ago by taking a class at a community college. If you do this, I HIGHLY recommend one that is taught by a Deaf instructor if at all possible. I met and married a deaf man about 6 1/2 years ago, and although ASL is our primary form of communciation, I still would not say that I am “fluent”. I can easily hold a conversation with a person is ASL, but, like learning any foreign language, you are always going to be continually learning and improving your signing skills. Expressive signing, in my opinion, is easier than receptively understanding what other people sign. Each person’s sign style is slightly different, and there are regional and home signs that a person may use that you have never seen before (for example, if you ask 50 Deaf people what the sign for “Walmart” is, you would probably get at least 10 different answers). In addition to learning the language, I strongly recommend that you learn everything you can about Deaf Culture. A great place to learn this, as well as to improve your signing skills, is to socialize with Deaf people. If you live in an area with a fairly large Deaf population, there may be something called “Silent Dinners” or “Deaf Silent Dinners” in your area, where you can go and socialize with people who sign. Try googling “Silent Dinner” and your city’s name, or your city’s name and “Deaf Club”. The best way to learn ASL (and actually be able to use it!) is to learn it from Deaf people who use sign as their native language. You will need to practice every day in order to be comfortable using it.

Below is a site that covers many of the basic terms of ASL and gives you a Quick Time Video of howe the movement is done.

Ive been studying this off and on and can learn 40 – 50 words a day if I tried hard enough, Hope this helps.

I use sign language every day, and it is NOT something you can teach yourself. It’s a dynamic 3D language that is best learned through interaction with others. I agree that a community college course is the best way to learn. Sometimes there will be sign classes offered by school districts or special education early intervention departments for parents of deaf/hard of hearing children, and I’m sure you would be more than welcome to join them.

Hi,

One option is this site:

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/…

Or, usualy at community centers they usualy have good classes that are pretty cheap (If you have the time) I’ve also taken sign language classes at a community college.

Good luck!