Thursday, March 27th
2025 Sign Language Lesson Reviews
Lingvano
- Pricing: $120 annually, $47.97 every 3 months, or $17.99 monthly
- Exclusively teaches ASL, BSL, and OEGS
- No ads or data selling, completely financed by subscribers
- Provides literal English translations for ASL phrases
- Offers option to slow down video playback
- Course split into 102 lessons grouped into 8 sections
- Offers a dictionary, Vocab Trainer, and Sign Mirror with Premium account
- Subscription fee contributes to employing deaf signers
- High user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating on Google Play
- Regularly adds new content to the platform
Lingvano is a language learning platform that exclusively teaches sign languages, as opposed to offering it as one course among a dozen or so vocal-aural languages. That means their ASL platform is built for ASL specifically, including an ASL dictionary and a "sign mirror”. Their mission is to build bridges between deaf and hearing people. While the team is made up of both deaf and hearing people, all of the teachers that you'll see in their videos are deaf.
Teaches BSL and OEGS
In addition to ASL, one of the most widely used sign languages in the world, Lingvano offers British Sign Language (BSL) and even Austrian Sign Language (OEGS). We really love this about Lingvano - most of the other sign language lesson platforms featured in this review only teach ASL.
Create a free account to get started
Lingvano doesn't run ads or sell your data, so they're financed completely by their subscribers. Generously, they still have some free lessons for you to try out. All you need to do is create an account. We recommend doing this anyway, because it's hard to get a feel for how the lessons are set up otherwise - Lingvano doesn't include demos or screenshots of their course interface on the website.
Literal English translations are useful
Once you've created your Lingvano account and selected the sign language you want to learn, you'll jump right in with your first lesson. You'll be shown videos of basic words and phrases and asked to fill in missing words and match the signs with their translations. ASL has its own syntax, so we appreciated that the literal English translation of phrases accompanies the ASL. For example, "How are you?” becomes "How you?” We also liked that very early on, Lingvano mentions the different ways people might form the same sign, and shows you how two different signers sign the word "How.”
Option to slow down playback
If you feel like the signing is too fast, you can click the turtle button at the top of your screen near the progress bar. We tested this, and although it did slow things down a bit, it might still be too fast for some users. A better option would be to allow users to set their own playback speed, rather than just toggling between two speeds.
102 lessons
The Lingvano ASL course is split into 102 lessons grouped into 8 sections. In the first 10 lessons, you'll learn how to start a conversation, the basics of ASL, how to use possessive pronouns, key phrases, the alphabet, and how to describe things. The sections are as follows: Hello and Welcome, Day-to-Day Life, You and Me, Travelling, Exploring the World, Celebrations, Going Out, and Using Sign at Work.
Dictionary, Vocab Trainer, and Sign Mirror with Premium account
With a Premium account, you get to enjoy some pretty cool features. Lingvano's Vocab Trainer uses AI to customize a vocabulary set just for you. You can choose to focus on vocabulary, fingerspelling, or numbers and see your skills improve as the system adjusts your training based on your performance. The platform also includes a dictionary where you can search for a word or pick from a list of the most searched words - just click the video playback symbol next to each word to watch the sign. You can test the dictionary with 2-3 free signs before being prompted to upgrade. Another fun feature is the mirror: it supposedly gives you real-time feedback on how your signing looks to others by pulling up your webcam next to the video of the sign you're watching, but this feature didn't come up when we went through the free lessons. If you're using Premium and it's still not working, you might need to allow the app or website to access your camera in your settings.
Billed $120 annually, $47.97 every 3 months, or $17.99 monthly
The cost of Lingvano depends on the course you choose and where you live due to currency and tax differences. The exact prices are only visible when you log into your account. When we signed into our account with a US location, the pricing options were as follows: $17.99 billed every month, or billed every three months at a rate of $15.99 per month, which totals to $47.97. There's also an annual payment option where you pay $9.99 per month, adding up to $119.88 for the year.
Your subscription fee pays deaf salaries
$120 annually might sound high, but Lingvano puts a lot of work into making your learning experience the best it can be. They have a team of learning psychologists, developers, and deaf signers who contribute to the platform. These deaf signers not only enjoy their work at Lingvano, but it also gives them a job opportunity they might not find elsewhere. The fees you pay allow Lingvano to keep making the learning experience better for you, by adding new features and lessons. So while they can't provide the service for free, they're doing their best to give you great value for your money. If you buy Premium and aren't happy with it, you have 20 days to get your money back (unless you've previously participated in a 7-day trial).
Users love it
What are people saying about Lingvano? A 4.7 star rating average on Google Play from over 40,000 reviews speaks volumes. Users, from first-time learners to certified ASL interpreters, are impressed with the quality of the information, the step-by-step progression, and the effectiveness of the review tools. It seems that the developers respond promptly to complaints about technical issues, too. If it weren't for the number of reviews complaining about the app not being free, Lingvano might have a higher score.
Great choice for committed sign language learners
We're impressed with Lingvano. While the consensus among ASL speakers is that an app can't replace in-person classes and immersion in the Deaf community, Lingvano is the second-best thing. The app does everything it's supposed to do and it's clear that a lot of time and thought has been invested into it. We love that they employ deaf people, which makes your subscription fee feel well spent. Lingvano is always adding new content, too. Even though $120 a year might seem high, we think it's worth it if you're really committed to learning sign language. Give the free version a try and see if it suits your learning style first.
More Sign Language Lesson Reviews
The 10 Best Sign Language Lessons
Where Can You Find the Best Sign Language Lessons Online?
Maybe you've decided to learn sign language because you have a deaf child, or perhaps there's a new student at your school who is hard of hearing and you'd like to befriend them. Or it could be that you're simply fascinated by this beautiful, expressive language and want to expand your communication skills. Whatever your reason, learning sign language opens up a new realm of possibilities for connection and understanding.
Learning sign language is unlike picking up any spoken language. You're not just memorizing vocabulary and grammar; you're learning to convey and interpret messages through gestures, facial expressions, and body language. Imagine expressing complex emotions or detailed narratives with your hands and face - it's a whole new way of thinking and communicating.
Sign Language Lesson FAQ
Continued from above...
Also, keep in mind that sign language is not universal; each country, and sometimes regions within countries, has its own sign language with distinct rules and grammar. This means that learning American Sign Language won't necessarily enable you to communicate with someone who uses British Sign Language (BSL), for example.
Online sign language lessons have surged in popularity over the years. This can be attributed to several reasons that make these lessons an attractive option for a diverse range of learners. But one of the main reasons for the popularity of online sign language lessons is the unparalleled convenience they offer.
Sign language learners can access courses over the internet from anywhere in the world, eliminating the need for physical attendance at specific locations. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for people with busy schedules, letting them learn at their own pace and at times that suit their personal and professional commitments.
Another reason why online sign language lessons are so popular is they can provide a wealth of resources and interactive tools that enhance the learning experience. These can include video tutorials, live classes, interactive exercises, and community forums, all designed to foster a deeper understanding and proficiency in sign language.
The multimedia approach of online sign language lessons caters to different learning styles, ensuring that both visual and auditory learners can all benefit from the courses. High-quality video demonstrations by native signers help learners grasp the nuances of signs, facial expressions, and body language, which are crucial aspects of effective communication in sign language.
If you're considering online sign language lessons, you'll find them a flexible, accessible way to learn. Maybe your schedule is packed, and you need to fit lessons in between other commitments. Or you live in a place without a strong Deaf or hard-of-hearing community to practice with. Online lessons offer the chance to learn from the comfort of your home, with resources like video tutorials that show you exactly how to form each sign, and interactive courses that provide feedback on your signing skills.
When you're choosing an online sign language course, keep these points in mind:
- Content quality and relevance. You'll want a course that covers everything from the basics to more advanced conversations. For example, if you're learning sign language to communicate with a deaf child, look for lessons that include signs for family, emotions, and daily routines.
- Interactive learning tools. Opt for courses that make learning fun and effective with quizzes, games, or even a virtual practice buddy. This can help you practice signing in real-time, which is crucial for building your confidence.
- Feedback and support. It can be helpful to have access to personalized feedback on your signing. Some platforms may offer video assessments or allow you to connect with experienced signers for advice.
- Flexibility and accessibility. Whether you prefer learning late at night or during your morning commute, the best online lessons work with your schedule and are accessible on various devices.
Top Consumer Reviews has taken a close look at the available options and ranked the best sign language lessons to help you on your way. Whether you're just starting or looking to deepen your knowledge, we hope this guide aids you in finding the perfect sign language lessons to fit your life and learning goals.
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