Determine what type of sign language you want to learn and how fluent you want to be. If you only want to learn to sign your name, you will need to take a different approach to learning than if you want to sign fluently.
Gather materials that will help you learn the language. Find videos online, purchase a textbook, locate a website with courses or sign up for a course at a learning center, such as a university or a high school.
Memorize the signs for the alphabet and basic numbers. Unlike English, the letters of the signing alphabet are not the basic building blocks of words, but they do allow you to spell out words that don't have signs, such as your name or the name of a city.
Study basic vocabulary, such as greetings, "please" and "thank you," introductions and pronouns. Work for at least half an hour every day to solidify your lessons. As you learn, continue to add vocabulary, mixing old review with the introduction of new words.
Investigate the grammar of sign language once you have memorized a set of basic words. Study how sign language structures sentences -- subject, object, verb -- and how it forms plurals and verb tenses. A course or a textbook will help make these concepts clearer and help you to pace yourself in your studies.
Continue to develop your skills by learning more vocabulary, more grammar, more complex sentence structures and more precise sign formation until you have thoroughly mastered the language. Use a variety of tools and resources, such as games, arts and crafts, books, movies or television and the Internet. If you make the lessons fun, you will be more apt to persevere.
Practice signing consistently and expose yourself to as much sign language as possible so that you don't lose what you've learned. Watch videos of signing online or find a signing friend with whom you can have conversations. Volunteer at a school for the deaf, or join -- or form -- a group of signers who meet regularly.