Lingvano - Learn Sign Language 9+

I’ve been learning to sign because my sibling has ASD and it helps them follow conversation better and I’ve been using websites online and a few paid courses but nothing felt like it was sticking. I think this was down to a lack of engagement in terms of interactivity. I like that the app is interactive. It functions much like another well known language app with a mascot I use which is great because it makes me relax knowing I understand how to progress. I like the encouragement this app brings and I like the turtle button to slow down the videos should I need it. I feel that the conversation videos are a great way to give confidence showing you can follow and interact with others in sign language. The mirror tool is perfect for practicing facial expressions and hand movements together.

I saw this advertised on instagram and thought I’d give it a go; I was under the impression that it was going to be the sign language counterpart of Duolingo, which it does have a similar feel to it but I was also assuming that it would be generally free to use and the subscription would work similarly as duo (eg unlock extra topics to sign rather than just basic conversations). Alas, the free option was way more limited than I had anticipated. Once you get passed the stages of learning to sign “hello, how’re you, you’re welcome”, everything becomes locked behind a paywall.

I feel like a Duolingo-esque learning experience would’ve been a great opportunity to allow everyone to learn sign language, with the ability to pay for extra lives or an ad vs ad-free version of the app etc.

Overall, I felt like the lessons I did go through were great and had a lovely experience with what I was able to do. I may think about subscribing at some point in the future but I really did wish there would be more to what you can get out of the app without paying a subscription.

I have recently begun filming on a TV series almost entirely cast & crewed with deaf or hard of hearing people. The majority of the dialogue is BSL and although my character was not required to do any, behind the scenes I felt it would be important for me to be able to converse with everyone else. This app has been incredibly useful in allow me to hold longer and fuller conversations with the rest of the cast. I feel I have learnt a huge amount in 4 weeks. However, I feel that the content is very limited and I have had to find other sources for simple words. For example this app taught me the sign for table and chair, but not bed. Also, upon completing the 3 modules, I was disappointed to find that there were no more. I'm sure there will be an update, but I will cancel my subscription before it's added, as I won't pay for an app I don't now need. Still, great place to start learning BSL.