Sign up for an ASL course at the Easter Seals of Central Alabama. In early 2011, an eight-week beginners' course was offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Easter Seals office on South Boulevard. The course is taught by a deaf person. For $80, you will learn the basics of American Sign Language from a person who uses the language daily.
Attend a potluck social at the Janice Capiluto Center for the Deaf. The Center is part of the Easter Seals of Central Alabama organization. Potluck socials are held on one evening about every two months. The Center's socials will give you an opportunity to practice your ASL skills and learn by being around deaf people using the language. You might also meet some new friends.
Take an on-campus or distance learning course in the ASL program at Bishop State Community College. The college is located about three and a half hours from Montgomery, in Mobile. Nevertheless, for the student intent on an in-depth study of ASL, with a flexible schedule who is willing to drive, it might be worthwhile to explore enrolling in the program. Flexible class scheduling or living part-time in Mobile could make it possible. Bishop State also offers some of its courses through distance learning. The college offers an associates in science degree in American Sign Language through the humanities department. This is the only academic program available in ASL in the state.
Teach yourself at home. There are free programs online that help you learn ASL slowly, at your own pace. For example, StartASL.com breaks down lessons into units, and provides step-by-step learning modules that build on each other. Classes are organized by level, at ASL 1 and ASL 2, with ASL 3 under development as of early 2011. StartASL.com also instructs you on fingerspelling and provides workbooks and resource materials. Handspeak.com is another online resource that is organized into four sections: "ASL Dictionary," "Explore Culture," "Learn Sign Language" and "Learn Fingerspelling."