InterSign ASL - Learn Now‪!‬ 4+

This app is so so good for people trying to learn sign language for free/low cost. It’s set up just like Duolingo and the lessons are comprehensive and progressive. They teach multiple variations of signs when they’re applicable, they teach grammar, and they use spaced repetition to keep old lessons fresh in your mind. They also have a handful of sign language instructors each with a slightly different style, so you get to see what different “accents” look like.

None of the lessons are locked behind a paywall, so if you can’t purchase a subscription, you’re not going to be forced to stop using the app. There are ads but they’re very very limited. One before and after each lesson, but they’re skippable after only 5-10sec so they’re super bearable. Aside from the lessons, there’s a dictionary/glossary tab which is super helpful if you’re looking for something specific.

The only two drawbacks I’ve found is that (1) the dictionary/glossary doesn’t have a section for ‘words you’ve learned in your lessons’ - sometimes I’d like to go and quiz myself on a list of all the words I know, but I can’t do that without individually searching every word. And (2) the end of every lesson takes you back to the home page, which you then have to click on a section and then click on the next lesson in order to keep going. I wish there was just a “next lesson” button once you’ve finished one so you didn’t have to go through the extra steps.

I would like to say beforehand that this app is amazing and I am so glad you were able to make this subscription free. I have been able to learn sign so much easier because of you and I would like to thank you.

Into the criticism: During the later levels of the app you are given a sentence and multiple choice options with videos attached to them to pick the right sentence which is a very clever idea, but on phone you aren’t able to see the submit button if it has two lines of text in the sentence, so it makes it impossible to submit that question without spamming an answer and the submit button at the same time. I understand you are probably trying to fix the issue as I submit this review and for that I am thankful.

I do NOT know much about coding and app making so if my suggestions are crazy then please tell me.

Some suggestions if you want (may be easier said than done)
1. You could add a scrolling feature for that question only or for all questions making sure that the top of the question stays at the top while the answers shift
2. Make a double tap = submit answer
3. Make the video boxes smaller so they don’t take up as much room. Like the same size as the A B C D options would probably help at least

Once again I am NOT an app developer or coder so if I am speaking crazy then I am sorry.

TLDR: they have a hidden premium where they let you see all the perks of buying “premium” and then take them away, unless you give them money. They don’t tell you about premium until you’ve already done two lessons and invested your time

I don’t think I’ve ever felt this level of betrayal from an app before, i downloaded this under the impression I was going to get quality learning content, and you do but after chapter one lesson three you can no longer look at the side angles of each sign unless you buy the premium. You also still have to watch all the adds. I figured I would be fine watching ads Defoe and after every single lesson to help support them but to loose the sign angles which have always been something I’ve struggled with trying to learn SL from books and get told that they will remove ads , give you offline access, allow you to have angles again, and give you more games for 5 dollars a month, that add up to 60 usd a year, and that’s if you do the monthly one! Honey, I don’t have money to be spending on an app. I only downloaded this so I can talk easier with my deaf friends and family.