Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Monday, February 10th
Sign It ASL is an online course you can do at your own speed, made by well-known teachers and stars from the ASL community. It's designed for older children, teens, and adults who want to learn American Sign Language. As of the time of this review, the first 20 lessons were ready, and the next 30 were still being funded. By the time you're finished with Sign It!, you'll be able to have basic conversations in sign language.
Star-studded cast of instructors
The Sign It course boasts an impressive line-up of instructors. Keith Wann, an actor and performer, stars in an ASL Children's book app. Rachel Coleman, co-creator of Signing Time, is a strong advocate for accessible communication. Crom Saunders, the Director of Deaf Studies at Columbia College Chicago, loves horror literature. Peter S. Cook, an internationally renowned Deaf performing artist, has performed at the White House. Alexandria Wailes, a Deaf actor, starred in the musical Sleeping Beauty Wakes. Manny Hernandez, or MannyASL, works as a professional ASL storyteller. Maleni Chaitoo, a Deaf actor and activist, wrote her first script when she was just 11. Liam Coleman, a Deaf actor, starred in the Signing Time series. Sean Forbes, a Deaf hip-hop artist, co-founded D-PAN. Ben Jarashow, a Deaf Studies professor, is known for his jellyfish stories. Justin Callaway, featured in a Pepsi Superbowl Commercial, is also known as "Wormy". Finally, Patrick Fischer, with extensive experience in theater and art, provides services for those wanting to learn about theater from the Deaf perspective.
Own your lessons forever
Unlike most online sign language classes, you can keep the Sign It ASL lessons you buy forever. This lets you learn at your own speed and revisit past lessons whenever you want. If you're using a license for a school site, each user can access the course for a year from when you buy it. The pricing breakdown is as follows:
Only 72 hours to make up your mind
Sign It ASL gives you a short period of 72 hours, or three days, to decide if you're happy with your purchase. This time is shorter than the month most other sites give. If you'd like to request your money back, send an email to signit@signitasl.com. Just write "Sign It ASL Refund" in the subject line.
Free lessons for families of deaf children under 3
Good news! If you live in the US and have a child under 3 years old with hearing loss, you can get the Sign It ASL course for free. This is possible because of donations made to the Signing Time Foundation and their partners at NCHAM. Navigate to the FAQ page to find more information about applying.
Get a strong foundation
In lessons 1-5, you'll learn about words, spelling with your fingers, grammar, and special signs. The first lessons talk about how to introduce yourself, family, feelings, jobs, and school. In lessons 6-10, you'll learn more about ASL, studying topics like neighbors, food, numbers, time, and how to get around. Moving on to lessons 11-15, you'll keep learning ASL, studying things like the USA and other countries, government, holidays, and money. Finally, in lessons 16-20, you'll watch fun videos and practice signing. You'll take quizzes and tests to see how much you've learned. In these lessons, you'll study topics like clothes, how to describe how someone looks, hobbies, colors, and religion. Once you complete the Sign It ASL course, you'll be able to have simple conversations about these topics in sign language.
Lessons are entertaining
In the first lesson, we watched an introduction video signed and spoken by Rachel Coleman in ASL Gloss. We then met comedian Keith, who shared that he dislikes peanuts but loves peanut butter. He also told a story about how his dog went missing when he was 7, but the dog returned when he was 8. As we progressed, we learned tidbits about Deaf culture. For instance, it's typical to describe someone's family, occupation, and education as their "A to Z". We then met Rachel's friends, the rest of the crew, and learned their "A to Z". The videos autoplay, making it easy to become engrossed. Afterward, a few of the signs featured in the video were shown one by one. Finally, we were quizzed on them. It's hard to get bored with this format. The videos can also be sped up and slowed down.
Try lessons for free
You can get a taste of the Sign It course through their free preview offering. This includes access to select modules from lessons 1, 2, and 10. To start, you just need to visit the page of a lesson, click the "Free Preview” button, and then you'll be able to access them by clicking on "My Dashboard" in the menu on the website.
Free video dictionary
Sign It also includes access to a free ASL dictionary, whether you buy the course or not. This dictionary features videos of more than 1,000 vocabulary terms taught in the course. It's a helpful tool for learning and practicing American Sign Language. You do need to give them your name and email, though.
Glowing testimonials
The beauty of having such a diverse cast is that it keeps things fun and lively. Plus, it allows you to experience a range of signing styles. This way, you'll see that there's no one "right" way to sign, and that's perfectly okay. Students find the lessons to be easy to follow, entertaining, and engaging. The ASL Gloss translations, spoken aloud over the signing, are really appreciated by users, who say it's helped them grasp the grammar intuitively.
Strong contender
We're big fans of Sign It ASL. The videos are engaging and the cast is not only talented but they also clearly love what they do. We find the course to be affordable, especially when considering that you get to keep it for life, unlike other services that require a monthly or yearly payment. The only reason Sign It ASL doesn't earn the top spot is that we've been waiting for the final lessons to be funded since our last review, and the most advanced course they currently offer doesn't take you as far as the top-rated platform on our list. However, if you enjoy their lessons and want to donate to help make the more advanced lessons possible, you can do so on the site. Sign It ASL is a strong contender for sign language lessons.
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.
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:
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.
Select any 2 Sign Language Lessons to compare them head to head