ASL 1 Course Online
Choose an ASL 1 course path for beginners, kids, teens, parents, and homeschool learners.
ASL 1 is the first structured step after basic signs. A good ASL 1 course should teach signs in motion, facial expression, fingerspelling, numbers, grammar, receptive practice, and Deaf-culture context, not just word lists.
- Start free if you need first signs, app practice, and confidence.
- Choose a paid course when you need lessons, assignments, quizzes, or a certificate.
- Choose a formal path if you need school credit, transcript records, or live feedback.
Affiliate disclosure: Course buttons may use affiliate links. ASL Kids may earn a commission if you enroll, at no extra cost to you.
Affiliate disclosure: Some course links on this page are affiliate links. ASL Kids may earn a commission if you enroll through those links, at no extra cost to you. Course details, access length, certificates, pricing, refunds, age ranges, credit rules, and enrollment requirements can change, so check each provider’s current page before buying or enrolling.
Quick answer
The best ASL 1 course online depends on the learner’s goal. For families and young beginners, start with the ASL Kids app, dictionary, first signs, and a printable practice plan. For older kids, teens, parents, teachers, and adult beginners, a self-paced ASL 1 course can give needed structure. For official credit or a transcript, use a provider or school pathway that explicitly offers the documentation you need.
ASL 1 course chooser
| Learner goal | Best path | Why it fits | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult beginner, parent, teacher, or caregiver | Self-paced ASL 1 adult course plus daily app practice | A structured first-level course can organize vocabulary, grammar, numbers, fingerspelling, and review. | View adult course |
| Older child, middle schooler, teen, or homeschool learner | Kids/teen course plus parent-led practice records | A friendlier course with workbook-style support may fit younger learners better than an adult-paced course. | View kids/teen course |
| Baby, toddler, preschooler, or family testing interest | Free app, dictionary, first signs, routines, and printables first | Young learners usually need short, repeated signs in real routines before a full ASL 1 course. | Start with the ASL Kids app |
| Teen needing high-school credit or formal documentation | ASL 1 course plus approved school/homeschool credit plan | The credit-awarding program must accept the course, records, hours, assignments, or transcript documentation. | Plan high school credit |
| Learner who needs instructor feedback | Guided online course or live class | Feedback helps catch handshape, movement, facial expression, and grammar habits that self-paced video cannot always correct. | Compare guided feedback |
| Learner needing university credit or transcript path | Gallaudet ASL Connect or another approved school provider | Formal credit depends on enrollment rules, transcript type, and transfer acceptance by the receiving institution. | Compare Gallaudet ASL Connect |
What ASL 1 should teach
- Manual alphabet, fingerspelling practice, numbers, names, age, and introductions.
- Everyday vocabulary for family, school, home, feelings, needs, routines, colors, and time.
- Facial expression, eye gaze, body movement, and visual attention-getting.
- Basic ASL word order, yes/no questions, WH-questions, and non-manual markers.
- Receptive practice so the learner understands signs from another person or video model.
- Deaf-culture context, respectful communication, captions, interpreters, and why ASL is a complete language separate from English.
- Review, quizzes, assignments, or projects so signs move from watching to using.
Where SignLanguage101 fits for ASL 1
SignLanguage101’s current course pages are a practical fit for many ASL Kids visitors who want a lower-friction ASL 1 path. The adult Level 1A page describes a beginner course with ASL word order, WH-questions, numbers, alphabet, colors, pronouns, Deaf culture, quizzes, practice, and closing review. The kids/teen Level 1A page says it is designed for learners ages 10-18 and includes lesson sequencing, a digital workbook, one year of access, vocabulary, grammar, fingerspelling, homeschool/classroom support, and a completion certificate.
8-week ASL 1 starter plan
Week 1: alphabet, names, hello, and visual attention
Practice the manual alphabet, names, greetings, eye contact, waving, and respectful ways to get attention.
Week 2: numbers, age, family, and introductions
Add numbers, age, family signs, and a short signed introduction the learner can repeat confidently.
Week 3: home, school, meals, and routine signs
Use signs during real routines so vocabulary is tied to everyday communication instead of memorized lists.
Week 4: questions and facial expression
Practice yes/no questions, who, what, where, when, why, how, and the facial expression that marks question types.
Week 5: fingerspelling and receptive practice
Spell slowly, read another person’s fingerspelling, and practice understanding signs without written prompts first.
Week 6: Deaf culture and respectful communication
Learn about ASL as a full language, visual communication, turn-taking, captions, interpreters, and Deaf-community respect.
Week 7: project and review
Record a signed introduction, family tree, routine demonstration, classroom story, or short conversation.
Week 8: choose the next level
Continue ASL 1, move into ASL 2, add live feedback, plan credit documentation, or keep practicing with the app and dictionary.
Use ASL Kids between ASL 1 lessons
ASL 1 works better when the learner practices a little every day. Use the ASL Kids app for signs in motion, the dictionary for lookup, and the 12-week planner to keep lesson notes, practice minutes, and project ideas together.
Related ASL Kids guides
SignLanguage101 Review
See when SignLanguage101 is a good fit and when another ASL path is better.
ASL Course for Teens
Choose between a kids course, adult course, credit path, and free app practice.
ASL Course for High School Credit
Plan records and approval before relying on a course for transcript credit.
Sources and references
- SignLanguage101 course catalog
- SignLanguage101 Level 1A adult beginner course details
- SignLanguage101 Level 1A kids/teen course details
- Start ASL online course information
- Signing Online course and evaluation information
- Gallaudet ASL Connect
- Gallaudet ASL online courses FAQ
- NIDCD: What Is American Sign Language?
ASL 1 course FAQ
What is ASL 1?
ASL 1 is a first-level American Sign Language course. A good ASL 1 course teaches beginner vocabulary, fingerspelling, numbers, questions, facial expression, grammar, receptive practice, and Deaf-culture context.
Can kids take an ASL 1 course online?
Older kids and teens can take an ASL 1-style online course when the pacing, videos, workbook, and practice expectations fit their age. Younger children usually do better with short routine signs, app practice, and adult-led play first.
Can ASL 1 online count for high school credit?
Only if the school, homeschool parent, umbrella program, charter, co-op, district, or credit-awarding provider accepts it. Confirm approval and record requirements before enrolling for credit.
Should I start with a free app or a paid ASL 1 course?
Start with a free app if you are testing interest, teaching first signs, or helping a young child. Choose a paid ASL 1 course when you need sequence, assignments, quizzes, workbook support, a certificate, or stronger accountability.
What should I do after ASL 1?
After ASL 1, continue with ASL 2, add live feedback, practice with real signers, join a class, keep using the app and dictionary, or plan formal credit if school documentation matters.
Need printable ASL practice sheets?
Download the free ASL Kids Starter Pack for first signs, weekly lesson plans, baby-sign routines, classroom signs, family practice, and a 12-week planner.
Comparing ASL apps?
Use the Best ASL Apps for Kids and Beginners guide to choose between ASL Kids, dictionary apps, structured lesson apps, baby-sign video libraries, and course paths.
Comparing SignLanguage101 and Start ASL?
Use the SignLanguage101 vs Start ASL comparison before choosing between a lower-friction self-paced course, a guided-feedback course, an app-first route, or a formal credit path.
Choosing an ASL class for a child?
The ASL Classes for Kids guide compares app-first practice, free resources, live online classes, local options, kids courses, parent courses, and homeschool paths.
Planning ASL for a middle schooler?
The ASL Course for Middle School guide helps families choose between app-first practice, a kids course, a parent-led course, homeschool records, and high-school-credit planning.
Need ASL to count for high school credit?
Use the ASL Course for High School Credit guide to choose between homeschool records, school approval, certificates, and formal credit before buying a course.