Have you ever had a difficult time connecting with a deaf or hard-of-hearing person? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could learn another language to communicate more effectively with them?
The lack of communication often leads to frustration and miscommunication, especially when dealing with people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Therefore, American Sign Language (ASL) could be a viable option!
It is a valuable skill that helps you connect and communicate with the Deaf community. However, finding affordable and easy-to-access resources to master this skill can be challenging.
The following article provides a comprehensive list of the 10 best free ASL online courses, covering everything from basic vocabulary to advanced conversation skills. These courses will help you learn and improve your ASL skills.
By the end of this article, you’ll have all the resources you need to start your journey toward mastering ASL.
Master the Art of ASL with These 10 Free Online Courses
1. American Sign Language Level 1 [Skillshare]
First on our list is this wonderful free ASL online course, American Sign Language Level 1, by Manny Martin. This course teaches students the basics of American Sign Language (ASL).
Besides learning ASL basics, students also gain an understanding of deaf education and its background.
Here’s What You Get:
There are 23 lessons in this introductory American Sign Language course, and it covers topics such as the alphabet, numerals 1 to 100, colors, animals, sentiments, the art of storytelling, etc. The course’s goal is to empower learners with the skills to tell a short ASL narrative.
As part of the on-demand video lectures, students receive a PDF workbook that allows them to take notes and test their knowledge.
There is a one-month free trial period available for new members to try out this and other courses in American Sign Language.
Who Would Benefit Most From It?
All in all, American Sign Language Level 1 is a brilliant course that teaches American sign language in a way that is easy to understand and great for beginners.
Duration: 23 lessons, 2hrs 14mins
Price: 1-month free trial
Certificate of Completion: Yes
2. ASL University: Lessons [ASL University]
Second on our list of best free online ASL classes is ASL University: Lessons. This extensive course includes engaging questionnaires and engrossing video tutorials spanning over 200 hours. It also has a wide variety of learning resources.
Dr. William Vicars, the course instructor, will help you build self-confidence one step at a time, starting with spelling and basic phrases to more complex concepts. His evidence-based approach includes quizzes and tasks focused on the most commonly used terms.
Here’s What You Get:
Learning is enhanced with video lectures and interactive questionnaires. There are 46 sessions in this course, which are divided into four modules. Each module takes about 23 hours to complete.
In the first 30 sessions, you will learn the fundamentals of American Sign Language (ASL) needed to have basic conversations about yourself, your family, your food and clothing, your pets, and your daily routine.
Lessons 31–45 cover more advanced topics, including using subtle sign language to discuss mental states like feelings and emotions. Topics covered include sports, expressing one’s views and stories, equipment handling, getaways, and self-care.
Eventually, in the final 15 sessions, you will study a variety of new topics, such as speaking about numbers and money, traveling, shopping, medical discussion, vehicles, etc.
Who Would Benefit Most From It?
This ASL University: Lessons is ideal for learners of all skill levels, from complete beginners to more advanced learners.
Duration: 221 hrs
Price: Free
Certificate of Completion: No
3. ASL | American Sign Language Classes [Skillshare]
The next option is not just a single course but the entire Skillshare library of American Sign Language content. These ASL courses advance through several ASL levels by covering the fundamentals of ASL, such as the alphabet, basic gestures, queries, etc.
Here’s What You Get:
With over 25 specialized American Sign Language courses, you will learn everything from the alphabet to frequently asked questions.
The fact that they are accessible through Skillshare is, again, the cherry on top. In addition, if you subscribe to Skillshare Premium, you won’t have to pay for individual courses.
In addition, users can sign up for a free 30-day trial on Skillshare to see if it’s a good fit.
Who Would Benefit Most From It?
People who are just getting started will gain a lot from this course.
Duration: 130+ hrs
Price: Free
Certificate of Completion: Yes
4. Beginner American Sign Language (ASL) Course [YouTube]
The free YouTube course by Laura Berg Life provides a solid foundation in concepts and applications. The course begins with the basics, such as vocab and basic phrases, and advances to more complex phrases.
There is a video devoted to a quiz to evaluate your listening skills after each session. By the end of the course, students should be able to sign a few simple words and phrases in American Sign Language.
Here’s What You Get:
This course has ten modules, each focusing on a different topic. The concepts are presented via video lessons and video questionnaires. There are 31 videos in the course. Each video takes, on average, 10 minutes to complete.
Who Would Benefit Most From It?
Beginners will find all relevant topics covered in this course. Therefore, it is primarily intended for beginners.
Duration: 6 hrs
Price: Free
Certificate of Completion: No
5. Sign Language 101 [YouTube]
The most important aspect of this course is that it is free of cost. In addition, there are YouTube videos available on Sign Language 101 that anyone can access.
Here’s What You Get:
The course covers ten modules, including gestures and mannerisms, colors and pronouns, common signs and phrases, expressions, humans, and clothing, dining and drinking, etc.
The instructor, Byron Bridges, spends around 20 minutes on each lesson. He is passionate about what he teaches and has the credentials to teach the fundamentals of ASL! Besides being deaf, he comes from a deaf family.
Without a doubt, this course is among the top free resources for learning ASL online.
Who Would Benefit Most From It?
This course is one of the finest online courses available if you want to learn ASL immediately without spending a single penny.
Duration: 3+ hrs
Price: Free
Certificate of Completion: No
6. ASL Basics (Learn How to Sign) [YouTube]
Number 6 on our list of best free online ASL classes is ASL Basics, offered by Learn How to Sign.
This online American Sign Language course is more like a series of individual lessons that will help you learn how to sign some of the most commonly used terms and phrases in the language.
Here’s What You Get:
This course is delivered entirely through video lectures, divided into 48 individual videos covering various topics.
Individuals will learn basic signs, such as beginning with the letters and progressing through commonly used words, figures of speech, warm wishes, emotions, ASL sentence formation, and a lot more.
The course also covers typical phrases such as signs for the summers and schooling, signs of wealth, signs for professionals, and signs for explaining people’s emotions and feelings.
Who Would Benefit Most From It?
As a whole, this is a wonderful course that is ideal for beginners.
Duration: 3-4 hrs
Price: Free
Certificate of Completion: No
7. Start ASL Free Lessons [Start ASL]
Start ASL 1 and 2, along with Start ASL 3, make up the first three levels of the Start ASL online learning course. The knowledge gained from one course will be used as a foundation for the next.
Here’s What You Get:
The topics covered in American Sign Language Level 1 include numbers, word formation, phrase structures, indexes, actions, recognizing people, and various topics concerning the deaf community. This course contains over 550 videos covering vocabulary and phrases.
The second level of American Sign Language (ASL) builds on the foundation laid in the first by covering topics such as a variety of sentences, length, uniformity, spaces, things, regions, etc.
Last but not least, ASL 3 takes the narrative to the next level. You’ll discover how to use practices like telling stories, conveying information, playing sign language games, reading, and singing as part of your lessons.
Approximately 500 vocabulary and phrase videos are available between levels 2 and 3 of American Sign Language. This course is undoubtedly one of the best online ASL certification courses you can find.
Who Would Benefit Most From It?
While ASL 1 is ideal for those with no prior sign language experience, a student who has completed ASL 3 can successfully communicate with native signers.
Duration: You can learn at your own pace
Price: Free
Certificate of Completion: Yes
8. ASL | Pronouns + Vocab + Practice | American Sign Language [Skillshare]
Eighth on our list of the best free online ASL classes is ASL | Pronouns + Vocab + Practice | American Sign Language from Skillshare.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn the ins and outs of using personal and assertive pronouns in American Sign Language. Besides that, you should be able to finish all of this within a few hours.
Here’s What You Get:
The course is divided into forty individual lessons. Each lesson takes between two to eight minutes to complete. The concepts are explained through videos.
This course will teach you how to sign apples, houses, cats, purses, shoes, emotions, and adverbs.
Who Would Benefit Most From It?
If you want to learn American Sign Language (ASL) basics, including how to sign and identify pronouns, expand your vocabulary, and form meaningful sentences and phrases, then this course is for you.
Duration: 2-3 hrs
Price: Free
Certificate of Completion: No
9. ASL Basics – All Lessons by Chris Gorges [YouTube]
This online course is a compilation of ASL courses covering various topics, from the ASL alphabet to phrases, sentences, numerals, and more. Further, you’ll get plenty of practice and advice on speeding up and becoming more fluent in specific subjects.
What You’ll Learn
There are 111 videos included in the course. It can take anywhere from two to five minutes to complete a video.
This course covers high-frequency words, conversational starters, colors, months, days of the week, numbers, animals, family signs (mom, dad, brother, sister), technology, the great outdoors, and winter words.
The course includes topics such as thoughts and feelings, geometry, story interpretation, the Rubik’s cube, and workplace jargon.
Who Would Benefit Most From It?
This course is ideal for beginners who are new to ASL learning.
Duration: 32 hrs
Price: Free
Certificate of Completion: No
10. Learning Sign Language by Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel [YouTube]
The Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel’s Learning Sign Language ranks number 10 on our list of the best free ASL online classes.
Despite the course title, singing is a great way for adults and kids to learn sign language.
Here’s What You Get:
There are 20 videos in the course. It takes approximately two to five minutes to watch each video.
Below is a list of some of the very few Jack Hartmann and friends’ songs that you could sing along with them:
- See It, Say It, Sign It
- Rap it, Read It, Say It
- See it, Say it, Sign it in Australian Sign Language form
- See it, Say it Sign it in British Sign Language form
- Sign the colors
Who Would Benefit Most From It?
This online course is suitable for those interested in learning American Sign Language (ASL), Australian Sign Language (ASL), or British Sign Language (BSL).
Duration: 1-2 hrs
Price: Free
Certificate of Completion: No
Final Thoughts
The 10best free ASL online classes listed above make learning American Sign Language (ASL) more straightforward and more accessible than ever. From beginner to advanced levels, these courses offer a comprehensive curriculum, interactive learning tools, and engaging content to help you master ASL.
Whether you are interested in learning ASL for personal or professional reasons, these courses will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to communicate with the deaf community.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for one of these courses today and start your ASL learning journey. Happy learning!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to Learn ASL?
If you’re dedicated to learning ASL and practicing consistently, you can become proficient in the language in as little as six months to a year. However, becoming genuinely fluent in ASL, just like any other language, takes much longer and requires ongoing practice and exposure to the language.
What Are the Basics of Asl that I Should Learn First?
The ASL Alphabet, Numbers, Basic ASL phrases, Facial expressions, Body Language, and ASL Grammar are some basics you should learn before learning American Sign Language (ASL). Learning these basics will give you a solid foundation to build on as you continue to learn and improve your ASL skills.
Are There Any Certification Programs for ASL?
Yes, certification programs are available for individuals who want to showcase their proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL), even if they are not interpreters or teachers of ASL. One such certification program is offered by the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA), which provides two levels of certification for ASL learners: the ASLTA Certified and the ASLTA Qualified certification. Other certification programs may include the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) and the ASL Diagnostic and Evaluation Services (ASL-DES), which assess an individual’s ASL proficiency at different levels.
Is It Better to Learn ASL in a Classroom Setting or Online?
Both classroom and online learning have their advantages and disadvantages. Classroom learning can provide a structured and interactive environment with a teacher or instructor who can provide immediate feedback and guidance. It also allows face-to-face communication and interaction with classmates, enhancing the learning experience. In contrast, online learning offers flexibility as far as scheduling and location are concerned. You can learn at your own pace and on your own time, which can benefit individuals who have busy schedules or cannot attend traditional classes. Online learning can also provide access to a broader range of resources, such as videos, online courses, and interactive tools.
