Are you looking to learn American Sign Language (ASL)? If yes, then you’ve come to the right place… We’ve spent the time researching the best ASL courses that are available online so that you can update your skills from the comfort of your own home! We have included both free and paid courses, that are suitable for all levels, to ensure that you can find a course best suited to you!
But first, let’s answer a very important question – what is ASL?
ASL is a form of sign language in the US and also in English-speaking parts of Canada. It is a complete, natural language that has the same linguistic properties as spoken American. It is expressed by movements of the hand of face and is used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Suitable for all levels, I have spent the time researching the best online ASL tutorials out there. So, if you’re looking to progress your skills in this area, then there will be an online course out there for you!
1. American Sign Language Level 1 (Udemy)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 2h 36m
- Cost: $69.99
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 5,536
- Course rating: N/A
Suitable for absolutely anyone who is interested in learning ASL, this course is designed to give you a good foundational knowledge in sign language.
You will cover the origins of the language, as well as many other topics. Other topics include finger spelling, number signs, animals, family signs, feelings and emotions, how to understand the ASL alphabet, colors, food and drink, key verbs and nouns and sentences.
By the end of this course you will be able to demonstrate a short story in ASL with clarity, which will really help anyone who is wanting to understand how to use ASL for either personal or professional reasons.
2. ASL | The Alphabet For Beginners (Skillshare)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 2h 36m
- Cost: 14 day free trial
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 5,536
- Course rating: N/A
Taught by an experienced teacher, Michael Okay, this course is one of the many well-liked courses that he has to offer. As the name suggests, you will learn how to sign the entire alphabet. You will then take a look at signing both upper and lowercase letters and you will practice using these letters at ‘turtle, ‘rabbit’ and ‘rocket’ speed. On top of this, you will also take a look at how to spell up to 5 letter words and how to string these words together.
To really solidify learning, you will be encouraged to put your new skills to the test at the end of the course. You will be asked to record a video of yourself singing the entire alphabet in ASL and you can then upload this video to the gallery so that you can share your new skills with everyone!
3. ASL | Pronouns + Vocab + Practice | American Sign Language (Skillshare)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 2h 27m
- Cost: 14 day free trial
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 2,277
- Course rating: N/A
Progressing slightly further on from the previous video, this course studies ASL pronouns. You will learn how to use you vs your, he vs his, they vs their and you will learn the sign for purse, happy, surprised, hungry and so much more! Once you had new words and have the pronouns, you can put them together and create some stuff that’s a bit more practical! By the end, you’ll be able to use ASL to formulate some phrases and some short sentences.
Like the other class offered by course instructor Michael Okay, you will finish up with a course project. In this project you will create at least four sentences using what you have learned in this class. Once you feel confident using these four sentences, you will record a video of yourself singing and upload the video to the gallery.
4. Learn & Master Sign Language (Udemy)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 49h 5m
- Cost: $69.99
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 8,493
- Course rating: 4.8/5 (out of 1,403 ratings)
The ‘Learn and Master Sign Language’ course contains 25 professionally produced lessons that are each accompanied by a detailed lesson book. You will also partake in a number of quizzes and practices to really help you solidify your learning.
In these 25 lessons, you’ll learn to master the receptive and expressive components of sign language so that you can communicate with those who are deaf with confidence. You will go over the basics of ASL, and then an introduction to greetings, pronouns and adjectives. The course will then progress to looking at more advanced words and sentences. Unlike other courses that only cover the ASL basics, you will take a look at how to sign words related to travel, workplace, restaurants, money, food, holidays, parties, the seasons and much more!
5. Certificate in American Sign Language (ASL) Online Course (John Academy)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 2h 26m
- Cost: $154.88
- Certification: Yes
- Number of people who have completed the course: 789
- Course rating: 5/5
Accredited by various authorities, this course will teach you all the hand gestures, facial expressions and body postures that you need to be able to communicate with those who are deaf or hard of hearing. You will take a look at how to sign the alphabet, numbers, colors, animals, family, food and drink, verbs and emotions.
With this course, you will get assessed through tests and quizzes, you will be helped by a dedicated 24/7 support team, the contents will be regularly updates and you will receive an internationally recognized accredited qualification. To top it off, it you feel that this course hasn’t met your expectations, then you will get your entire class fee refunded… so what’s not to like about that?
6. American Sign Language (ASL) Course (John Academy)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: N/A
- Cost: $349.99
- Certification: Yes
- Number of people who have completed the course: 815
- Course rating: 4.7/5 (out of 11 reviews)
With excellent reviews, this course will help anyone who is wanting to pursue a career as an ASL teacher, SEN teacher, SEN teaching assistant or social worker.
The course will begin with an introduction into deaf education and what you can expect. Next, it will turn to the alphabet and different letters. This is then followed by learning how to sign numbers, colors, animals and emotions.
Once you have completed this course, you will receive a certification from the CiQ, which makes it the perfect course for anyone trying to learn potential professional skills!
Conclusion
These are the 6 best ASL courses that are available online. These courses are all suited to anyone who is wanting to develop an understanding of ASL so that they can use it professionally or personally. Specific careers where having an understanding of ASL might be incredibly helpful include:
- Childcare Worker
- Nanny
- Nurse
- Occupational Therapist
- Physician
- Physiotherapist
- Probation Officer
- Teacher
To gather these ASL skills, there are lots of online courses available for you. There are ASL courses that are free and take less than an hour to complete. Then there are more expensive courses that take longer to complete! Some courses are suitable for those with no prior sign language experience. Whereas other courses are better suited for those with lots of experience in sign language, but are specifically looking to increase their skillset further.
The online classes in this list are the best of the best. Each is taught by an experienced and dedicated teacher that has lots of satisfied and happy customers.
So, which course you decide take depends on your experience, funds and spare time. Do you have a huge amount of money to spend on your skill development? Do you have a lot of spare time, or are you just looking for a quick, but effective, skill top up?
