#learn sign language

Learn Sign Language with Our Complete 4-Level Course

So you’re ready to learn sign language…

And it couldn’t be easier to start! If you want to learn sign language, then you’ve come to the right place.

The Start ASL team has created a complete 4-Level ASL course curriculum that will get you signing right away! No more scouring the internet only to learn a few signs at a time – Start ASL has the complete course you’ve been looking for.

Join thousands of fellow students and start signing today!

Our full 4-level course curriculum includes:

learn sign language - Start ASL Free ASL 1 Course

Take ASL 1 For Free Today!

Sign up today! Learn sign language today with our Free Online ASL 1 Course. No credit card required. 

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Why Do We Offer ASL 1 For Free?

We often get asked this question.

The truth is, we offer a free course for two reasons. Firstly, we honestly enjoy helping people and we want to share our passion with you. But we also know that if you’re serious about wanting to learn sign language, you’ll want to try our full 4-Level Start ASL Courses – the most advanced and fun step-by-step ASL learning available with the signing practice and instructor support you need to become truly fluent.

But maybe you want to start learning right now, for free. You can sign up at the top of this page to join our ASL 1 course to learn sign language for free or view samples of our course curriculum in the table below.

Signing Group with Laptops
Why Choose Us to learn sign language

Learn How to Sign Comfortably and Correctly in True ASL

Learn Accurate ASL

What most online ASL resources teach is often incorrect. Sadly, a simple search on Youtube will bring up a number of ASL videos with over one million views and hundreds of comments about how incorrect the signs are.

With us, you can rest assured that you are learning accurate signs and grammar by professional signers who are active members of the Deaf community. Our curriculum is aligned with the California World Language Standards and the ACTFL.

Imagine having the confidence to join a conversation in ASL knowing that your signing is completely accurate!

Learn ASL Quickly and Easily

Most online ASL resources end up being very expensive with both time and money. If you have been using free resources, you may have found that searching through all the information out there and wondering whether or not it is even accurate takes an astronomical amount of time.

With us, our complete course includes everything you need. You will learn the language completely and with total flexibility. And better yet, our course will quickly give you the results you’ve been waiting to see.

Imagine the time you’d save and the uncertainty you’d avoid if you knew exactly what ASL to learn and when to learn it!

Learn Complete ASL

Most online ASL resources teach a very limited amount of ASL. Maybe you’re learning some signs like “dog” and “cat,” but are wondering when you’ll actually be able to have a real conversation.

With us, you will learn full ASL. We teach an extensive amount of ASL vocabulary plus ASL grammar, ASL syntax, Deaf culture, and Deaf history.

Imagine having the necessary signing practice and instructor feedback you need to reach true fluency!

We Learned ASL Just Like You

Have you already taken an ASL class, but don't feel like you really got a good grip on the language? Maybe you've learned some signs to replace English words, but are wondering when you'll actually be able to have a real conversation using ASL grammar.

With us, we know what you need. We not only offer courses by native Deaf signers but also by hearing ASL professionals who know what it is like to learn ASL as a hearing person.

Imagine learning ASL from teachers who know exactly what hearing students need in order to become comfortably fluent!

Jared Perez-DeBusk
Jared
Megan Clancy
Megan
Tobi Adedeji
Tobi
Katelyn Cheng
Katelyn
Bellamie Bachleda
Bellamie
Crystal Lott
Crystal

New Start ASL 1-4 Course Samples

Courses
Units
ASL 1 Samples
Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 | Unit 6 | Unit 7 | Unit 8 | Unit 9 | Unit 10
ASL 2 Samples
Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 | Unit 6 | Unit 7 | Unit 8 | Unit 9 | Unit 10
ASL 3 Samples
Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 | Unit 6 | Unit 7 | Unit 8 | Unit 9 | Unit 10
ASL 4 Samples
Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 | Unit 6 | Unit 7 | Unit 8 | Unit 9 | Unit 10

Do You Really Want To Learn Sign Language?

Yes, our free ASL 1 course is wonderful, but serious ASL students who want to immerse themselves completely in American Sign Language will love our full 4-Level Start ASL Courses – guaranteed! Our complete course will teach you how to sign comfortably and correctly in true ASL.

The course was created by ASL professionals with the goal of teaching students fluent ASL, and helping you to understand and fully integrate into the Deaf community. We’re passionate about our courses, and we’re looking for passionate ASL students who really want to learn sign language. Get Started Today!

We think you’ll love our Online Course classroom!

What our students are saying

I took all 3 classes and was amazed at the attention to detail taken to design this course. This course is organized, well-thought out, and fun. I learned a lot! The videos were my favorite part. Since I already had quite a bit of vocabulary under my belt, I wanted practice reading a variety of signers while learning ASL grammar. This course gave me just that. I highly recommend it for anyone learning ASL. THANK YOU, Start ASL!
Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon
San Jose, CA


"Hi! Mara here! I am so excited to tell you about Start ASL! It is a great company that allows you to practice ASL and learn it at your own pace. ASL stands for American Sign Language. I had to learn it because my sister is Deaf. So I am here to learn it more fluently, and at my own pace. So come and join us and you will have so much fun. It’s a great community of people to learn and grow. So I hope to see you! Bye! (Signs I-LOVE-YOU, in ASL)"
Mara
This class has enhanced my relationship with my daughter. We have conversations online now with Skype. The conversations I watch online help me see the nuances of conversation and the useful techniques of facial and other expressions. After the first few times I signed with my daughter, I started to feel more at ease. Trying to read the signs seems to be the most fun for me. I am learning what I set out to do with the motivation of sharing this with my little girl. Stick with it and you will feel the success through your conversations. Thank you for the opportunity.
Frank Cassianna
Frank Cassianna
Myrtle Point, OR
I’ve been infatuated with American Sign Language for the longest time, but have just recently started to teach myself. The lessons on this website have been a tremendous help and I’m learning very quickly. Thank you so much, I’m really enjoying the experience.
Jade
Jade
Ft. Wayne, IN
I have thoroughly enjoyed this site. This site has helped my husband and I understand and pick up ASL so quickly. I’m hard of hearing, and my husband and I love the ability to learn together. We now are able to better communicate to the fullest we have ever been able to do. Thank you so much.
Cortnie Testimonial
Cortnie
Phoenix, AZ
I give this site 5 stars! I am a stay-at-home mom of twin 3-year old boys. They are my little handfuls, and I don’t have a lot of personal time. I found this site after realizing that I wanted to learn a lot more than what I was learning on YouTube. I am on ASL 1 / Unit 2 and loving every second of it. It’s very addicting, and I would recommend this site to anybody.
Janell
California


"I love this site Start ASL. They have easy to follow course work. And the social media content for learning is awesome!"
Whitney Stewart
I am a single mom and unfortunately there are not a lot of affordable options in which I can be with my daughter and still learn ASL. Thank you for making this option available to those who may be not be able to learn in an adult classroom environment and are also hearing. I love this site. I just went through the first three units as a refresher and not sure why I ever left the site. Keep up the awesome work!
Jaeda Raines
Jaeda Raines
Chicago, IL
This class has really helped me so far. I started ASL a few weeks ago and I was having a hard time being able to get the language down. Then a friend told me about this site and I have been picking it up much easier since. I am starting to have some better experiences with some of the people I know that have ASL down very well. It’s really a great experience to learn all of it and be able to communicate with them without even speaking. Thank you for providing this site, it’s been a huge help.
Justin
Justin
California
I am learning a great deal and enjoying the class. I am a 70% disabled veteran from Operation Iraqi Freedom and have lost a large amount of my hearing. I have become very reliant on reading lips as well as having to ask people to repeat themselves numerous times. It is truly due to the nature of my injuries that I am interested in learning ASL. I thank you for the opportunity to learn.
Kristine
Kristine
San Diego, CA
The whole set up of the site is perfect! There are many different ways to practice and it gives you everything you need, seriously. I didn’t think I would learn as much as I have in ASL 1 but I learn a lot! This site has taught me the most out of any other site. Trust me I’ve been to many sites and they only give you half the info you need. This is a great site and I recommend it to everyone!
Kimmie
Florida
I’ve been wanting to learn ASL for quite some time. This is EXACTLY what I have been looking for. I love how clear the videos are and that I can do it at my own pace. I also love that there are quizzes to keep me on track. I like going back and watching some of the videos over and over again so that I can really get it. I’m so very impressed and grateful for the hard work that has gone into the class. I’ve only completed the first two units and can’t believe how much I’ve already learned. GREAT JOB!!! Thanks so much!
Brenda
I have always been intrigued with the beauty of sign language, but I never made time to study the language. However, the more I thought about it, the stronger the desire became to just try it. As I searched the web, I came across Start ASL and decided to register. I began the courses and was amazed with the progress I was making after only a few lessons. The more I learned the more I wanted to learn. During the first two weeks of my membership I traveled to Dallas to visit my sister. While there, we attended church and I sat in the deaf and hard of hearing section so I could watch the interpreter. The interpreter signed and asked me if I was deaf. I signed that I’m a student. She instructed me to sit in the third row where a deaf gentleman was sitting. Before I took my seat, I signed to the man that my name was Denise. He began to sign his name but he was going way too fast for me. I was able to sign to him, “Please sign slow.” Upon my request, he slowed down. I understood that his name is Jerry and I signed, “Nice to meet you” and he signed it back. I felt so good inside – I couldn’t believe I was communicating after only a few lessons. And now I’m teaching my 12 month old granddaughter ASL and it’s all thanks to Start ASL.
Denise Blackshear
Denise Blackshear
Virginia

Don't wait to get started. Take ASL 1 for free today!

Learn sign language today with our Free Online ASL 1 Course. Sign up today! No credit card required.
American Sign Language Signing Group

Has Our Free Course Helped You Learn Sign Language? Share Your Experience In The Comments Below!

Many new ASL students are very interested to know about your Start ASL class experience. Have you been able to successfully learn sign language? What is your favorite part of the class? Are you learning everything you want to? Do you have any useful tips? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Here’s a helpful page by a fellow student:

Learning Beyond The Sign – Understanding the past, helps us to embrace the present. Finally an online class, that teaches you that learning ASL means more than knowing how to bend your fingers…

69 Responses

  1. Hi I saw that there’s multiple work books for the free program. Do you go through workbook one before starting on 2 and 3 or do you work through all of them? Sorry for the dumb question I just wanted to double check. I’ve already learned a lot, and I signed up like 3 days ago!
    Thank You!

  2. thank you, it was great learning ASL since I always wanted to learn it and I never knew where to go to lear. this was very easy from home and at my own time. thank you.

  3. I am loving this so much, i am learning a lot, the way the lessons are organized is ideal to break the ice to the student start practicing and creating conversations right away!

    I feel so happy, would love to have a certificate for the free lessons.

  4. Hey there!
    These classes are amazing! I would totally recommend these to anybody who is interested in ASL! The classes are easy to understand and access, fun, and best of all FREE! I’m only on the second Unit and have learned so much already! Thank you so much ASL teachers!

  5. Hello there!
    I have wanted to learn sign language for a few years now and I was self-taught for a while, so I already knew
    how to sign minorly, but that was before I quit.
    I wanted to learn ASL in Highschool, and I am so glad that a mom recommended this online course when they did. I love it! I’ve learned a lot in the short period I’ve been using it, and already know how to introduce myself and have
    (at least somewhat) a conversation in sign language. Thank you so much for this! God Bless!

  6. Hello there!
    I have wanted to learn sign language for a few years now and I was self-taught for a while, so I already knew
    how to sign minorly, but that was before I quit.
    I wanted to learn ASL in Highschool, and I am so glad that a mom recommended this online course when they did. I love it! I’ve learned a lot in the short period I’ve been using it, and already know how to introduce myself and have
    (at least somewhat) a conversation in sign language. Thank you so much for this! God Bless!

  7. This a pretty good program. I have learned so much with all the information listed on every unit. My favorite instructor on the videos is Ms. Deborah. I love how she signs!!! The other instructors are way to fast when signing some times. I have to repeat the videos several time to see what fingers or what hand shape they are using. Sometimes I have to look for the ASL signing on Youtube to understand how to sign some of he words.

    1. Hi there! When I run into that issue I change the video speed and slow it down as much as possible at first to see their hands better or face expressions. Then you can go back to normal speed and see it in regular time and understand it better.

  8. The thing that I like most about the program is that they go more in depth about ASL grammar and Deaf culture. When I took the Online Course, Whenever I did the video assignments in class or do activities like Discussion Mondays, Grammar Wednesdays, and Fingerspelling Fridays I receive Invaluable feedback from instructors and that they really helped me improve my signing skills. And the fellow members of Start ASL Online Student Community were very welcoming and friendly. My goal is that one day when me and my family set up a family business, I want to provide services for Deaf customers. I’m glad to have taken this class. Thank You Start ASL!

  9. I am severely hearing impaired in both ears and my hearing is declining (in the last six years my hearing loss went from mild-moderate to severe) so I am making an extra effort to learn ASL. Many of my family members are interested as well so I will definitely recommend that they take these free lessons. It’s only a matter of years until my hearing worsens to a point where hearing aids are no longer helpful, so ASL could wind up being a vital part of communication for me.

    I am enjoying the lessons; they are simple and straightforward, easy for beginners, and for those who know just a few signs. Anyone can take these lessons: hearing, hard of hearing, or deaf!

    1. This is great feedback. I too am hard of hearing. Deaf in one ear and declining hearing in the other due to spinal menigitis at age 4. (I am 34 now) Thank you for noting that, I think it’s important for others like us to know this is an option and a great tool to use. :)

  10. This site is terrific! I appreciate so much the lessons, the help when I have a question and the ability to go back and review, and review and review….which I do A LOT because my old brain is definitely being stretched!!! The resources that are listed are great as well. Thank you so much for sharing so much information!!

  11. Thank you so much for creating a free resource to kickstart my ASL journey! Being able to learn off a website makes it super convenient for me to learn, and I don’t know what I would do without all the video tutorials. I couldn’t imagine trying to learn such a dynamic and expressive language out of a book, and I can test my commitment with the free trial before committing to the more advanced courses.

  12. I am enjoying this way of learning because I can go back and review as much as I feel I need to so that I can become more competent. I am having difficulty with the practice videos because I have tried multiple times to access the answer checker but have not been able to get at it. I am also seeking a live person who will have the time to spend with me to review what I have learned in a live setting. Our community does not have a ASL Santa and I want to make this opportunity available to the deaf community that I live in. Thanks for the great leassons.

  13. Thank you for this free course. I’ve been using different signs for years and found this course very helpful in using the new signs. e.g. hungry

  14. Awesome program!!! I’ve been wanting to learn ASL for a while now and this course helped me out a ton (for free!) :) This class is great!

  15. I’m loving these classes so far and am enjoying learning ASL! I’m doing this for school and well, I’m guilty of wanting to learn this since I was in 5th grade. I never could find anywhere to learn it from! Thank you for this program!

  16. I believe i will love this class. Im a CNA and im my moms caregiver right now. My mom is pretty much deaf. We have trouble communicating. Im hoping this will help us. I can use it in my work too. Thanks for your free courses.

  17. This is fun and surprisingly easy! I love that some of these lessons are free to start you off with sign language. I am thinking of starting to pay monthly to learn sign language on here.

  18. I’ve finally found what I’ve been looking for! I’ve learned so much from these classes and my sign language receptive skills have definitely improved. Thank you so much!!!!

  19. I am hard of hearing and should have learned sign language years ago. I start a sign language class in 2013 in college, but I had a hard time learning the concepts. My instructor did not have the patience to assist me because I was making too many mistakes, so he told me to leave the class, and I had to drop the course. I was looking online for a lesson where I could learn on my own and come across this program. This ASL program is perfect for me my only problem is I need to sign in the class on often, My goal is to to be fluent in the language great program!

  20. I am enjoying these classes very much. I have wanted to learn ASL for several years but have not found any classes available in my area. I feel like I am making good progress with this class as well as some other resources I am using. Thank you for offering all of these lessons and helping people to learn this beautiful language.

  21. I took this class online at school as an elective, and it was super helpful and fun. A couple other girls took the class with me, and we can all communicate with each other now to some degree, which is super cool. One girl also used ASL as a part of her senior project and educated our school about its importance as a language. Thank you so much for making this experience possible!

  22. This is so great! I’ve been struggling with increasing hearing loss throughout my life. I wear hearing aides in both ears, although they help some, they don’t make any for my type of hearing loss. My hearing loss is progressing in a steady rate, my hearing doc has told me I will probably lose almost if not all of my hearing in about 10 years. So I need to learn this and so far you guys gave made it easier and fun to learn it!

    1. Hi, there was reading comments on the site. I noticed your about hearing. Have you heard of Cochlear Implant. I was in the same situation as you, and my Audiologist referred me to Cochlear since they did not make a hearing aid powerful enough to use. I now have both ear with Cochlear. And with Cochlear I have around 80% hearing back now. Something to check if you have not done so. Have a good day

  23. Growing up in church I would watch some of the older girls doing Sign Language during worship, and always found it fascinating. After a few years of watching I had picked up a few signs. Two of the girls then began a class to teach some of us kids. I was about 10 at the time and picked it up rather quickly. Unfortunately they had to stop doing the class. I am now 15, and a freshman in high school. I continue to sign during church and in the fall of 2016 I joined the church worship team to do ASL. In doing that I learned many more signs and used ASL at least twice a week. Just about 2 months ago I discovered StartASL and started the free courses. I just finished ASL 1 and couldn’t be happier. Signing in church is great, but I had almost zero conversational ASL skills. I know know many more signs, understand the grammar a bit more, and am confident that I could hold at least a brief conversation with a deaf person. Thank you so much for creating this course! And I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn ASL. I am home schooled, and count ASL as a language course. The important thing is that each unit only takes about 30 minutes to do!

  24. My wife and I are currently in the process of getting custody of my son (who is deaf) he was kept from me for so many years and I am now being able to have the chance to build a relationship with him and be the father he truly deserves and needs in his life. I want to be able to communicate with him and learn from him and teach him as he grows I never want him to ever feel like he has been ignored because we can not communicate with each other. It’s sad to say that but that has been the case for him the last 12 years and he deserves way more out of life then he has been given this far. I’m grateful to have found this site and it has already got me started in communicating better with my son. So far other than youtube, this has been the best way for my family and I to learn.

  25. Hello all. This site is great! I have always wanted to learn sign language. I can remember sitting in my room as a kid and learning the alphabet using my encyclopedia Britannica. : ) I have been on this site the past few weeks as a guest and just officially signed up. My own shyness and not knowing how to not be awkward trying to communicate with someone hearing impaired has affected me on numerous occasions. That being said I do recognize I shouldn’t let that stop me but I am here to change it. Personal goal, I don’t expect it to be easy, and I can’t wait to learn!

  26. I am enjoying this course and I’m amazed that I’m picking this up so quickly. I do have trouble with the different numbers but I’m working on it. I having trouble understanding the stories yet too. They are signing much too fast for me to get everything but I’ll get there. Thanks for putting this together.

  27. I have tried learning ASL 3 times prior to using the start ASL program over the last 6 years because I have grown up hard of hearing after a recent visit to my audiologist my hearing is getting worse and now desperatly struggle to learn ASL should the worse come upon me this is the best program I have found by far for learning even though i still struggle to understand how to make sentence structure but I am getting there thank you Start ASL.

  28. I just started learning ASL; I thought it made sense in my list of learning languages, since the Deaf communities in the cities I have lived in are large, and to exclude people in my life because we don’t speak the same language makes little sense to me, so here I am. I am using this class as support as I take a college class which is kicking my butt majorly. I just need to figure out how to find the checker…

  29. I’m just a freshman in high school, and growing up I made a lot of deaf friends. This really helped me create an easier way to communicate!!!

  30. I have been in love with American Sign Language for about 10 years now and I feel very strongly about learning it. I have been exposed to some ASL at former religious services and I started to learn some signs there and absolutely loved it. I have since moved away and long to learn more. Also as an educator I feel like it would be extremely beneficial to learn the language more.

  31. I value knowledge a lot, think sign language is a very interesting topic and now I met a friend who is hard of hearing who is teaching me sign. I am here because I want to learn more and more how to sign ( I am having some problems with the ASL structure).

  32. it wasn’t an easy journey though am greatful for having given an opportunity to learn hand speaking for free.i m currently in a position to communicate with the deaf without that much limitation. ASL1 classes made me to get this far and kept me on track for continuity leaning

  33. I am so very greatful to have found your class. I can fingerspell and know some other signs. I know just enough to get through a conversation however it is sometimes difficult. I wanted to become more fluent and know more so I’m not “just getting through”. I will become very helpful since we have several deaf clients where I work. So a coworker and I am going to go through this course together so we can really communicate with our clients. Thanks so much!!

  34. I’d like to learn ASL to enhance my skills and prepare me for a career in sign language interpretation. I figured this Start ASL course would be a good starter as I am waiting to officially become a resident in my state (I just moved here) so that I can go to the school near me that offers the degree! So excited for what’s in store!

  35. This website is so much help!! One of my best friends is deaf, which is what originally lead me to this site. I’ve started teaching some of my other friends how to sign and they have seemed to be enjoying it! I love how I can work at my own pace and all of the information laid out on this sheet! I’ve signed up for the news letters and love hearing from you guys! Thank you so much for making this and showing so many incredible people that they can have hope, and inspire others to make a change in this world!

  36. Thank you for this resource! I’m bilingual in Spanish/English but my son doesn’t have much interest in Spanish. I’ve always been interested in ASL so we have decided to learn together. He is 10 years old. He is really excited!

  37. I started learning the alphabet last year and I went to a new school and there were many deaf kids. I always had an interest in ASL, but never actually tried learning, this is the best website yet to learn ASL! 6/5 stars!

  38. My older sister is deaf, so I already know Sign Language, but there is some stuff I do not know. I am so happy that this unit alone has helped me some!

  39. Thank you for your work, I love this website. I’m Hungarian and now for me this is the only way to learn ASL. I’m glad to you! :)

  40. This is so awesome! I love the fact that you offer the basics for free, but still have the more advanced options available for those who would like to further their learnings. I’ve been thinking about learning ASL for a while, but was one of those people who never actually did anything about it until now. I hope this website will help me in that endeavour! (it’s already been pretty useful, which is awesome) And I love the fact that you’ve got different people signing, because it enables me to see the subtle difference, and thus get a better understanding of what the general sign is supposed to look like.
    We totally should’ve learned asl in class, or at least as an elective… Thanks to this awesome site I might actually get to learn it at last though!

  41. I love these classes. I will be a independent certified instructor for teaching sign language and i thank you guys for the extra lessons and videos! Better than the classrooms!

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