How Long Does It Take to Be Fluent in ASL?

It takes an average of 8 or more years to become fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). The proficiency chart below (created by American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) shows levels of skills and knowledge in learning a foreign language. At the bottom of the pyramid is the Novice proficiency level. At the top of the pyramid is a Superior proficiency level. As a person advances in their knowledge and skills in a language, they can advance from Novice (ASL 1 to ASL 3) to Intermediate (ASL 4 to ASL 6) to Advanced (ASL 7 to ASL 9) to Superior (ASL 10) proficiency levels. The Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced proficiency levels can be further subdivided into low, mid, and high sub-levels of knowledge and skills.

ACTFL Rating Scale for ASL shown as an inverted pyramid. Students progress in their knowledge and skills in ASL from a novice level at the bottom of the pyramid (blue region showing ASL 1, ASL 2, ASL 3), to an intermediate level (green region showing ASL 4, ASL 5, ASL 6), to an advanced level (orange region showing ASL7, ASL 8, ASL 9), to a superior level at the top of the pyramid (yellow region showing ASL 10). Each level can be further subdivided into low, mid, and high sub-levels of knowledge and skills.
After completing Level 3 of ASL, you are considered a novice signer. Training beyond level 3 is necessary to become a sign language interpreter, hold an academic paid ASL teaching position, or become a teacher of the d/Deaf.

To learn more about the path to becoming a sign language interpreter, students should consider researching and enrolling in a 4-year undergraduate degree in one of the following areas: Interpreting Studies (IS), Interpreting Training Program (ITP), or Interpreting Preparation Program (IPP).

To learn more about becoming an ASL teacher or instructor, students should consider researching and enrolling in a graduate degree program focused on teaching ASL such as the at University of Northern أغجاض±²¥ or the at Gallaudet University.

For students interested in becoming a teacher of the d/Deaf, students should consider researching and enrolling in a graduate degree program such as the at the University of Northern أغجاض±²¥.