What's the best place to find sign language lessons? Whether you have a friend or family member who is hard-of-hearing, or maybe you just want to expand your language horizons, starting off sign language lessons is a great way to level up your communication. Learning to sign is a fantastic way to be inclusive, allowing you to bridge communication gaps and build deeper connections with all individuals. Beyond the social benefits, it is also an essential skill for professionals in healthcare, education, or emergency services.
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Sign Language 101 is an online platform for sign language lessons that was founded in 2013 by Dr. Byron Bridges to make ASL more accessible and affordable for students. The program was developed and led by deaf experts, and includes free resources and specialized options for kids to make sure it serves all possible parts of the deaf community (or those wishing to support it). The program is available online and through a mobile app for sign language lessons anywhere, anytime.
Over 30 free lectures to try
Sign Language 101 allows you to sign up for two different course categories. The main option for most will be the Ages 15+ plan, which includes all adults and teens. The Kids course is designed to be more fun for kids and helpful for younger age groups. Once you select your course, Sign Language 101 will show you bundled courses if you want to pick from a group of lessons to make the sign language lessons more cost-effective overall. The bundles come with ASL Essentials (10 lessons) or the Complete Course Bundle (which is a 25% off discount on all four possible courses). As for individual courses, you can just buy one or two from the total collection, including 20 lessons overall. You can get free samples of the lessons by using the dropdown menu and clicking the "free lessons" tab. At the time of our review, there were over 30 individual video lectures in the free content area.
Accredited teaching methods
Sign Language 101 offers its sign language lessons through standardized language course levels. The program starts at 1A and goes up to proficiency level 2B. You'll start at the beginning with introduction content and foundation skills in ASL, then you'll jump into advanced topics for more complex conversations. The entire program is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), which ensures you're getting an education that will be recognized across professional settings and other educational institutions.
Mix of video and written course material
Sign Language 101 includes course material for grammar and non-manual cues like facial expressions for more nuanced communication. All the video lectures are on demand, so you can learn at your own pace. You can also get ASL lesson books through Sign Language 101 if you prefer to read to study your sign language lessons. These are included in your purchase if you want them.
Pricing from $49.99 per course up to $149.99 for all
Sign Language 101 offers its lessons in package deals, or you can pay for one of the four courses individually. The bundles offer a discount, so if you're planning to enjoy the entire course of sign language lessons at Sign Language 101, you may want to consider the bundles first. These offer a 10% discount on 10 lessons (at $89.99 for the bundle) and 25% off the complete course (at $149.99 for all four). If you'd prefer to take the courses individually, each section of Sign Language 101's ASL program (1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B) is $49.99. Keep in mind that the site notes this is for one year of access. The kids' courses are priced the same, but there are only two levels of ASL courses for them (1A and 1B). While there are options for kids and adults, our research did not show any group rates or family plans from Sign Language 101 at this time.
30-day refund policy
Sign Language 101 offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for your purchases. If you're not satisfied with the course, you can fill out the provided form on the Sign Language 101 and get a full refund for your sign language lessons. This is a notably nicer policy than we've seen at other sites, making it highly competitive for customer service.
Not much feedback other than YouTube
Sign Language 101, like many of the sign language lesson programs in our review, does not have a page with the Better Business Bureau. We also could not find any reviews for this site on trusted third-party review sites like Trustpilot or Sitejabber. We found some student reviews on YouTube (though it is unclear if these are sponsored or not), who say the program is really only suitable for beginners and intermediate learners, but it does receive praise for being structured. However, beyond some feedback on forums, there are no verified reviews for this platform.
Needs more buzz to be competitive
Sign Language 101 is a well-organized site, but with only one year of access for the course, you might not get as much for your money as you will with other sign language lessons. We do like the structure of Sign Language 101 and its options for different learning styles (video and written). However, without any reviews to back up the claims of the site from actual students, we're not sure how successful the sign language lessons are. It may be worth checking out due to the fact that it's officially accredited, but for now, Sign Language 101 earns an average score in our review.
Continued from above...
Whether you have a friend or family member who is hard-of-hearing, or maybe you just want to expand your language horizons, starting off sign language lessons is a great way to level up your communication. Learning to sign is a fantastic way to be inclusive, allowing you to bridge communication gaps and build deeper connections with all individuals. Beyond the social benefits, it is also an essential skill for professionals in healthcare, education, or emergency services.
But trying to find a local, in-person class that fits your schedule can be a hassle. So, what are your best options for sign language lessons?
You're in luck. In today's day and age, not only can you find fully online programs for sign language lessons, but you can also find a range of language-focused marketplaces to meet up with a local tutor if you'd prefer that face-to-face practice. In general, modern platforms give you everything you need right on your screen (whether that's your laptop or a mobile device). This way, you don't have to worry about long commutes or feeling bad about your work schedule changing and shifting your ability to attend synchronous classes. The best online platforms include high-def video tutorials that you can pause and rewind to practice new signs, and most of the sites and programs allow you to learn at your own pace.
Depending on which course or site you choose, you may find very different approaches, teaching methods, and curricula. Lessons will usually be organized by skill level and focus on conversational fluency. Whether you have quizzes, one-on-one online meetings with a teacher, or just watch pre-recorded videos (or maybe a combo of all of them), that will depend on the sign language lessons that you choose. The best part is, if you don't like one teaching method, you can try another option and see if their sign language lessons will align better with your learning style. Whether you're a fan of virtual learning or need an expert teacher to guide you, there's something out there for everyone.
Better still, many online sign language lesson programs and courses don't have to be something you do alone. Many sites offer different subscription plans, including family plans or group rates, so if you have multiple family members who want to support someone deaf or hard-of-hearing, you can all learn under the same subscription package without any hassle. Interestingly, you can also select options like regional dialects like learning ASL vs. BSL (American Sign Language vs. British Sign Language). No matter how you're hoping to take sign language lessons, there's a style out there just for you.
If you still aren't sure about where to jump into your new language skills, don't sweat. We've put together a quick checklist to help you narrow down the ideal sign language lessons for your needs:
If you're ready to jump into a new language, sign language lessons are the way to go. We've done the heavy lifting, so to speak, to get you on the way to your course. To help you make the right choice for your learning style, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the best sign language lesson courses available today. This way, you can focus on your new language and enjoy communicating with deaf and hard-of-hearing friends and family!
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