Wednesday, February 12th
2025 Sign Language Lesson Reviews
Udemy
- Pricing: $20/month for Personal plan or purchase courses a la carte
- Personal plan offers access to 11,000+ top courses
- User-friendly search function that allows for easy sorting and filtering by user ratings, video duration, features, price
- Over 8,000 results for American Sign Language
- Provides detailed course descriptions, including information about the instructors
- Offers high-rated ASL courses, such as the "First 500+ Basic Signs" course by Abe Lingo ASL, which has an average 4.8/5 star rating.
Udemy, like at least one other platform in our review, is an online learning marketplace. Here you can learn pretty much any skill - it's popular for learning programming, digital art, and even yoga. A search on "American Sign Language” brings up over 8,000 results.
Top ASL course teaches you 500 signs
Udemy's search function lets you filter and sort by user ratings, video duration, features (like whether the course has subtitles, quizzes, and practice tests), price, and more. The top result for ASL lessons is the "First 500+ Basic Signs” course by Abe Lingo ASL, with an average 4.8/5 star rating from over 1,000 reviews. Details about the instructor can be found within the course description. For example, Abe Lingo is taught by an instructor named Michael. When Michael was three, his brother became deaf following spinal meningitis. The family learned American Sign Language, kept his brother at home, and engaged with the Deaf community. As a police officer and federal investigator, Michael frequently used ASL, which inspired him to create accessible ASL courses. He views language learning, including ASL, as a mind-broadening experience that connects you with new communities. Michael's students say his signing is "engaging and clear”, and that it's evident how much he loves what he does.
Udemy plan doesn't include ASL courses
Udemy pricing is not as straightforward as its closest rival platform. Here, you'll notice you can purchase a course outright - there's an "add to cart” button on each course's page. But if you're looking closely, you might also notice the "Plans & Pricing” button at the top of your screen. With a Personal plan, you pay Udemy $20 per month and gain "access to 11,000+ top courses”, as well as a couple of other meager perks, like personalized recommendations and coding exercises. What counts as a "top course”? Udemy makes it hard to tell, but it's not the best-rated sign language lessons on the platform. (One Reddit user advises you to take a look at how many user ratings a course has. If it's fewer than 10,000, it's not likely to be considered a top course.) So how much will you pay a la carte for ASL lessons hosted on Udemy? That Abe Lingo course costs $99.99.
An "F” from the BBB gives us pause
If you're not happy with a course you purchased from Udemy, according to their return policy, you have 30 days to ask for your money back. However, when we turned to independent review platforms, we found another story: according to one user, refunds are "non-existent”. Even though a refund was requested 3 days after purchasing a course (due to a strong accent that was difficult to understand), the customer was issued a credit instead of the money they paid. This kind of complaint is common, and has led to an "F” grade from the Better Business Bureau.
Video player can be choppy
Another common complaint is that the video player doesn't work well. It apparently stops and starts sporadically - an absolute non-starter when learning a visual language like ASL, which depends upon your ability to consistently observe and mimic hand movements and facial expressions with fluidity.
Your sign to look somewhere else
We recommend steering clear of Udemy. Numerous complaints target every aspect of their service. Issues range from poor customer service to random account deletions. There's also a high number of reports suggesting poor quality control, which might explain why there are over 8,000 results for American Sign Language. The good news is, if you had your heart set on the Abe Lingo course, it's likely available on other platforms. Most top-quality courses that Udemy hosts can be purchased elsewhere.
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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