The ASL App Reviews

by Nickname Taken 123456789012334

So in general I like TheASLApp. I have been looking for one to share with hearing friends so they can learn. It’s more clear than others and the signs are mostly the ones we see/use. But there are a couple things I feel need to be added.
1) facial expressions section to explain why and how to use them so that we don’t see SEE from what’s learned.
2)classifiers section and a full explanation of them
3) a disclaimer when you start TheASLApp letting gearing know up front that the English interpretation you read is not exactly the same. Words are added for their understanding and what they are seeing is not word for word translation.
Other than that so for I like TheASLApp . Thanks!

by DamienMcKenna

The signers do a good job. However, TheASLApp itself is dot very well organized and makes it hard to learn from.

I’m just starting to learn and there are lots of pieces here that would be useful, ABCs, for example. There are even different ways of viewing the ABCs - just the hand, the hand with the person’s shoulder (to see more of the arm movement for certain letters), or the hand and the face. The problem is that they go through the entire alphabet in one go, you can’t pick a single letter to practice. Furthermore, if you want to have it repeat a certain letter it repeats the entire scene, back to A again. And there’s no “pause” button. This makes learning very frustrating.

The topic based sections are also well signed, but again suffer from navigation problems - there’s no way of seeing a list of all phrases in a section, you have to page through each one at a time.

I do like the fact there’s a turtle / slow mode which affects all videos, but it isn’t clear that when you play a video and want to replay it that you must then click the turtle button, not the regular repeat button.

In short, the UI needs a lot of work to be usable, and I hope some day it will be. Until then, I’ll be looking for another app.

by Rufus Piedmont

It’s a great app for anyone is trying to learn a little sign language for fun but it needs more. Some way of testing the signs you’ve been practicing would be very helpful for retention. There is definitely room for more categories of signs as well. If it’s feasible maybe even taking the total signs in all categories and making a search feature that’s alphabetically organized. It would help a lot of with looking up a sign you’re trying to find.

by Gaufrier150

I will start with the good things about TheASLApp:
The interface is very intuitive and clean. I like how professional it looks. It also has the “slow down” feature, which is great.
I’ve learned a good amount from TheASLApp, which I really appreciate. But after about a month or two of learning, I feel like I’ve already outgrown it. I’m in the market for another ASL app with more words.

Cons:
I’m hoping to see more content in the future. For $10 for all packages, I feel like there just isn’t enough. (I’m also not partial to some of the packages that focus on silly things [there is a package about celebrities where half of the phrases are things like “Have my baby” and “let me see your abs”.]).

There is a search feature, but it’s lacking. If the list is too long, it won’t always let you scroll all the way to see all of the options. Also, certain words are in their database differently (example: some phrases say “dont” and some “don’t”)

by Gary Bogle

To whom it may concern,

First and foremost let me say that I would have rated TheASLApp 5 stars, considering it is the best media resource I have found for learning American Sign Language. However it does not allow users to create playlists, or folders, to store and sort their vocabulary words or phrases that they learn while using TheASLApp . Customization is important so we can review the signs that we are learning. Additionally, I think it would be very helpful to make content in regards to different parts of speech, especially verbs, prepositions, and adjectives. This way learners can learn more basic signs as we create new sentences, or rather as we learn how to sign.

As a purchased pack customer I hope that you are already working on making TheASLApp more personal by allowing users to create playlists, or folders, to store their signs.

Thank you for your time, and amazing product,

Hopeful customer

by PayHere

I’m in the restaurant and bar industry, so I would like to see an expansion in your service industry related content. Dialogue for handling or relating issues would be great. More terms like: manager, raw, medium rare, well done, food allergies etc. And like: your card is declined, i can’t break a hundred dollar bill, he tried to hit me, you can’t do that here, smoking outside, can you call me a cab. And most importantly dialogue and terms for emergencies like: where does it hurt? pain, medication, heart, lungs, broken bones, epipen, is it hard to breath, and so on. Thanks for helping me be able to better help my guests and be a help to strangers in need.

by Paepstein

TheASLApp isn’t perfect, but I love how much the signers clearly enjoyed making it. They make learning the language so much more interesting and even a bit silly (in a totally good way). Just as importantly, I feel like I’m really retaining all the signs they teach. Like someone else said, it’d be great to be able to turn off the written translation so I could get used to practicing without the help, but ultimately I still think this is a fantastic learning tool and certainly one of the best ASL online/app resources I’ve seen.

Also, I kinda want to be friends with Bobbie Jo, Matt, Nyle, and Kriston; they seem like very cool people in addition to being great teachers. And Nyle, you look beautiful too. I’d love to be your Valentine. 🙂

by Morionis

I love TheASLApp, it's very informative, I'm learning sign language very quickly with it, I also love how it's laid out, it shows the Signs and the meaning of them in a great way. IT JUST NEEDS ONE THING. There needs to be an option to turn off the English words and just see them signing, so that way I could get practice with visually seeing the signs and putting it together in my head, rather than seeing the words along with the signs. And then after I see the signs then have a quick button that shows what the signs were to check if I were correct. I gave it 4 stars without that option, if that option was added I would happily rate 5 stars!

by Elbigpoppy

It’s a great app, but doesn’t really touch into facial expression, doesn’t include enough basic terms like friendship terms like “best friend”, the states and providences of the US and Canada, names of animals, months of the year, vehicle terms like “car” “truck” “motorcycle”, it just feels lacking for an app with dictionary in the name. Idk if maybe they need like a kick starter or something to really get some more meat in TheASLApp for people to learn with and use a resource or what That would be something I’d be willing to support. Maybe even making TheASLApp totally free through the Kickstarter funds would be cool.

by Kmccffrty

I’ve had TheASLApp for a few years now, and I love it. They keep adding more content- which is always appreciated!

It’s a super simple app, but gives you so many topics with tons of different sayings. I really like how they sign while the words appear in the corner of the screen. It’s an effective way to understand the grammar of ASL.

There is also an “info” feature for certain signs that may vary slightly from other signs. It’s great because it makes you aware of slight differences in hand placement, or even how facial expressions are important.

I love the new additions to TheASLApp , such as the search feature, and the ability to star and save sayings or words to come back to later.

I still have a lot to learn with what’s already provided, but I hope they add even more words & sayings soon!

by Alexandria Lee

TheASLApp is fantastic! It’s so easy and quick to learn many phrases. Love the videos the videos and the expressions. I would recommend it to anyone and I ended up paying for the full app. I am so glad there’s a slow motion button for longer more difficult phrases. The only suggestion I would add is that I really want there to be a romance category. I think this would be fun to use with my boyfriend. Maybe it can be added in the next update? Thank you for helping me learn sign language! :)

by Sawyer Lay

I can’t really pull myself to understand why TheASLApp doesn’t take its time to have at least a religious category. Signs like “Jesus” and “God” are essential for a $10 in app purchase. TheASLApp tools it’s time to make an LGBTQ category because the ASL app wants to teach us that equality is only necessary when convenient to them. It is not that hard to expand the dictionary that you’re app has by adding signs like God, Buddha, Islam, Koran, Bible, gospel, and covenant. Things like that will be worth you’re wile. Overall this is a helpful app but not helpful when you might as well look up most things on google. I would like to have my learning in one place. Thank You the ASL app for taking my opinion into consideration!

by Enyan617

I love TheASLApp! I have been working on ASL for eight months now, and started using TheASLApp right near the start. TheASLApp helped me learn to fingerspelling and quickly learn a few phrases I could use right away. Now that I’m taking ASL classes, and have the basics of fingerspelling, numbers, greetings, etc down, I use TheASLApp frequently as a dictionary, to search a word or phrase I’ve forgotten or haven’t learned. I have the add on packs. Definitely worth it. Hope to see more added too!

by Apples!=Oranges

It’s really hard to find places that consistently and effectively help learn sign language. TheASLApp is good for beginners as the words only appear as the signer says them, so you don’t have to guess what each word is. I haven’t gotten far enough to see how well grammar is incorporated.

Once you know the alphabet, TheASLApp organizes signs such that all of the categories build on the previous lessons, so you learn important signs like “I” “me” “you” very early, then they show you “learn” then they add onto that by showing you “I learn signs” and before you know it you can remember how to sign “I learned how to sign when I was young” and make full sentences.

If you know the alphabet and want to start learning with light exposure to the language over time, TheASLApp is fantastic. Not to mention you have access to the entire app’s content forever after paying a single fee. I’d highly recommend it.

by Victim Of Trolling

I took a year of ASL and forgot most of it, and searching through all the ASL apps I could, this one is my favorite so far. I actually just bought the full version because I liked the layout so much. The order of learning things is intuitive and I really like that you can see which signs are in each group with the index button. The only thing I’d really want is a written explanation of ASL sentence structure (which I admittedly may have missed), though every sentence signed is an example of that.

Thank you all for the work you put into TheASLApp!

by Taggedbythuy

One app alone, no matter how great, will never be able to teach all the complexities and nuances of a language and it's culture. But this is a great tool to add on my journey towards mastery. $10 is worth it seeing that I still haven't been able to get through learning all the videos yet after 4 months but I can always go back too look again. I also spent $10 on chipotle the other day so I figure a learning app is more useful and long lasting. Also need to point out, out of the multitudes of videos teaching hundreds of signs, the people who decided of focus on the single foul sign or the occasional "useful" fun signs need to take a chill pill.

by Murrat Bikes

How can you people complain about $10 for knowledge. I always wanted to learn ASL but never made it a priority. When I found out I had to have a medical procedure that laid me up for a week, I said what a great opportunity. I went to five used book stores and bought all I could on ASL. Then a new book store and bought one more. I was looking forward to my week of learning. I am a mechanic and work on Deaf people’s car from time to time. I can’t wait to surprise them. My weekly tool bill for the personal tools I buy is $130. That’s every WEEK. $10 is relatively cheap for me. I got my monies worth from the free stuff before I bought the extra.

by Mutant-robot

I love that TheASLApp has Deaf creators. There are a variety of lessons for conversational ASL on different subjects. TheASLApp is easily searchable and has different Deaf people presenting the ASL lessons that help students see a variety & nuance of ASL. Presenters are engaging & help students understand ASL is more than just what hands are doing. Phrases are translated to English captions as they are signed so that differences in grammar & sentence structure can be understood. They also have an excellent Instagram account for receptivity practice that goes beyond what is taught in TheASLApp . Excellent start for those beginning ASL or looking to brush up if you are out of practice. I found the $10 to be more than reasonable especially as more units get added.

by 3rdwomanproductions

I love, LOVE, LOVE TheASLApp! I appreciate that there are members of the Deaf community and hearing allies teaching the material and that I have a chance to learn idiomatic phrases and slang as well as basic signs. Bonus: Nyles DiMarco, from America’s Top Model teaches some of the signs! That alone, makes it worth the in-app purchases, in my opinion. Getting all the bundles is only $9.99, which for all that information, great videos, and easy accessibility makes it a steal! I like that you can buy everything up front and are not being drained by a subscription. I am a real person, not affiliated with TheASLApp ;) I am excited to use these signs with my teenage son, who has autism and my step-dad, who is HOH.

by Full_absolution

I’ve recently lost the use of my voice, and I’m trying to teach myself some basic ASL. The videos are wonderful, informative and educational.

I’ve read a lot of reviews for TheASLApp, and the biggest complaint seems to be single use of profanity. TheASLApp teaches you the sign for “eff you” (which was surprising, I thought that was just The Finger, but I was wrong?), and some parents were upset about that. Personally, while I’d never use that sign, I’m still glad TheASLApp showed me what it means so I can recognize it. No speech-impaired people are going to cuss me out now, at least not without me knowing it! This is an educational app, so I’m glad this was in here.

by This Guy Talking

I picked this up about a month ago, and was surprised how easy it is to get in to. I have no speech issues, just figured I’d learn ASL. I practice for about 5 Days a week and have been slowly going through each section- currently up to Life of The Party. I enjoy being able to slow the videos so that I can mimic more precisely the gesture.

Thank you guys so much for a great app!

*****

A few suggestions, if you’re cool with that:
-Saving your place when you check out the full roster of each section. It always throws me back up top and I have to scroll back down to my place.

-Rearrangement of the sections. It might be personal preference, but learning colors and types of foods first would make more sense than partying and flirting. Haha

-Flashcards! I would love to put what you’ve taught me to the test in an easier fashion than just looking at each section’s roster.

-More words! I know there’s a lot here already, but I’m looking forward to even more! Maybe parts of the body, general medical terms, animals, etc.

Thank you again, guys! Great work.

by EsotericProse

Thank you to the developers and individuals who did the videos. I was so relieved to see a range of individual identities (race, gender, ethnicity, signing style, speed, etc.) throughout the videos and a range of skin tones in the new alphabet and number sections. The developers are responsive to feedback (thank you) and as a hearing person, I have appreciated the learning approach of the videos (the 🐢 especially!), and the time spent making this accessible for others. I recommend purchasing the expansion pack too! 💜

by Msnook88

My new baby has a hearing loss and our family is learning to sign. I downloaded a ton of free and paid ASL apps and this one is my favorite. You can tell the creators had fun making it because the videos are super engaging. Very easy to use and understand. It’s almost like playing a game. The ASL App offers free units on numbers, ABCs, time, moods and commonly used phrases. After I master the free lessons I’ll upgrade to unlock more videos. Update: Turns out TheASLApp creators are native ASL signers! Definitely worth the download.