Wanna learn American Sign Language so you can sign for your deaf or hard-of-hearing loved ones?
Well, you’re in the right place. That’s what today’s post is all about!
About 2 to 4 out of 1,000 people in the USA are functionally deaf. When people with a severe hearing impairment are included with those who are deaf, then the number is actually 4 to 10 times higher. This means that 9 to 22 out of every 1,000 people have a severe hearing impairment or are deaf!
American Sign Language is incredibly vital to deaf communities.
American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual gestural language that is used by 250,000 to 500,000 Americans and some Canadians.
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If you are looking to learn sign language, then there are lots of resources available online. Sadly, not that many of them are free. For many courses, you need to pay to learn ASL.
Thankfully, there are a few resources out there for those who are on a budget but want to learn ASL. Some even have certification programs where after graduating you get a certificate and even high school credit.
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Free American Sign Language Online Classes
Below, I’ll cover some awesome free online ASL classes.
1. Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University is a private university in Washington, D.C. for the education of people who’re deaf and hard of hearing. The university provides a plethora of free online ASL classes. This includes things like basic ASL vocabulary and online interactive lessons.
2. Sign Language 101
Sign Language 101 offers free sign language videos for beginners. There are lots of videos on everything from colors in ASL to common phrases in ASL. Overall, there’s a good selection of videos available.
3. American Sign Language University
At the American Sign Language University, you can find a whole ASL curriculum for free!
The classes are from Dr. Bill who has been teaching American Sign Language for more than 20 years and is an ASL Instructor at California State University (Sacramento).
He has opened up the curriculum he uses for his in-person ASL classes by putting it online. Anyone who wants to learn ASL can access the course materials for free. So, you can self-study for free!
4. Start ASL
Start ASL provides such a huge range of ASL classes that are free. It’s not just beginner courses that you will find on offer here either. It’s a 3-Level ASL course. For anyone looking for more than just beginner classes, the site is definitely worth a look.
5. The ASL App
Of course, these are also free language learning apps, including ASL.
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The ASL App is an app for Android and iOS devices.
Although it does have some content that you have to pay for, the app also provides lots of free content.
With the app, you can learn the ASL alphabet, numbers, and more at no cost!
Here’s where you can get the app:
6. ASLPro
Formerly, ASLPro.com, ASL.cc has lots to offer anyone who wants to learn sign language without having to pay for the privilege. It features ASL video dictionaries and quizzes! This is so helpful because you can learn so many different words on the site, and you don’t have to pay for these videos.
7. SignSchool
For a wide variety of free ASL classes, take a look at SignSchool. It’s a website and app that allows you to learn ASL for free at your own pace.
On the site, you will find video-based learning materials.
SignSchool provides lots of different learning tools, like a dictionary that you can search by sign, topic, or handshape, a Sign of the Day, which is a sign that’s delivered to your inbox daily, and learning games where you can review signs by topic or handshape.
The site has so many free resources that are just great for anyone looking to learn sign language.
There’s also a SignSchool app. It’s not quite as comprehensive as the website is, but it still offers lots of free ASL learning materials.
Here’s where you can get the app:
8. ASL American Sign Language Fingerspelling Game
The ASL American Sign Language Fingerspelling Game is an app that you can use to improve your sign language. While it’s a game, rather than a course, it still offers lots of educational resources that are ideal for anyone looking to learn ASL.
The app includes more than 140 flashcards and more than 80 fingerspelling and sign language activities. It includes lots of other games too!
Here’s where you can get the app:
9. YouTube
For free ASL classes and other educational sign language content, YouTube is an excellent platform. A quick search on YouTube for the phrase, “Learn American Sign Language,” will bring up 1,000s of awesome videos, and channels where you can learn sign language at no cost.
If there’s something specific, like the alphabet, that you are looking to learn, then you can search for that too! The site is a great resource, and it doesn’t cost you anything!
10. Skillshare
Although Skillshare does have a paid membership plan, you can actually watch many videos on the platform for free. This includes some ASL classes.
If you don’t know already, Skillshare offers a selection of video classes from a variety of teachers. Have a browse of the site’s ASL videos, which I linked to in the section heading, and you’ll be able to learn about everything from basic signs to everyday phrases. Like I said, not all videos are free, but some are. So do have a browse on the page linked above.
What is the Best Free Website to Learn Sign Language?
These are all good resources. There is really no “best“. It just depends on what your definition of “best” is. I’d say since they are free, try a few to find the one that best matches your needs, schedule and the style of learning you are more comfortable with.
So if you have wanted to learn sign language, I would give the resources above a try. There are a lot of free materials out there, especially for beginners. There are a few sites offering more advanced sign language classes for free too, like ASLU and the Gallaudet University. Give these free online ASL classes a try!
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