Best Online ASL Courses for Kids and Beginners
Best online ASL course paths
The best online ASL course depends on who is learning. Younger children need short visual practice. Older kids and homeschool learners may need a kids course. Parents, teachers, teens, and adult beginners usually need more structure, grammar, and Deaf-culture context.
Affiliate disclosure: The course buttons below may be affiliate links. ASL Kids may earn a commission if you enroll, at no extra cost to you.
Affiliate disclosure: This page includes course affiliate links. If you enroll through these links, ASL Kids may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We include free and paid options so families can choose the learning path that fits their learner.
Start with the ASL course path that matches your learner
Most visitors do not need the same course. Use this quick router before choosing a paid program, especially if you are learning for a preschooler, elementary student, middle schooler, homeschool, school credit, family communication, or a first ASL 1 sequence.
Build family communication first
Start with language access, everyday routines, and the adult learning path that helps parents sign consistently at home.
Check the SignLanguage101 fit
Use the review if you are comparing the kids course, adult course, pricing, certificates, and alternatives before enrolling.
Need a first-course sequence?
Choose this route for ASL 1, a beginner course, weekly practice, vocabulary, fingerspelling, grammar, and review.
Keep the course path playful
Use this path when a young child needs app videos, routines, printables, and adult support before any formal child course.
Start K-5 with app-first practice
Use this path for younger learners who need short videos, games, printables, parent support, and a course only when ready.
Match the course to grades 6-8
Use this path when an older child is ready for lessons but still needs app review, parent support, homeschool records, or credit planning.
Plan the school path carefully
Use the teen and high-school-credit guides when you need age fit, documentation, transcript questions, or course approval.
Turn lessons into a routine
Use course lessons alongside weekly plans, printables, classroom signs, and short app review so practice actually happens.
Start with app practice first
If the learner is young or brand new, use free videos, the starter pack, and daily signs before buying a full course.
Course details can change. Check the provider’s current page before enrolling, and use free ASL Kids practice between lessons so the course turns into real signing at home or school.
Quick answer: which ASL course should you choose?
SignLanguage101 Kids
Best when a child is ready for lessons in order, workbook-style practice, quizzes, and a course made for young learners instead of adults.
SignLanguage101 Adult Beginner
Best when the adult around the child wants a steady self-paced path with vocabulary, fingerspelling, grammar, receptive practice, and Deaf-culture context.
ASL Kids app and free resources
Best before buying anything. Use kid-friendly videos, the dictionary, alphabet practice, first signs, baby signs, and printables to see what your learner sticks with.
Course guides by learner
Online ASL course for kids
Use this guide if your child is the main learner and you want to know whether they are ready for a structured online ASL course.
ASL course for parents
Use this guide if the adult wants to learn enough ASL to support a child at home, in homeschool, or in classroom routines.
Homeschool ASL course
Use this guide if you need an ASL course spine, weekly practice plan, app review, printables, and progress tracking for homeschool.
ASL course for teachers
Use this guide if you need a beginner ASL course for adult confidence plus classroom signs, lesson plans, and child-friendly practice.
Kids course vs adult course
| Course path | Best fit | Why it converts into progress | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kids online ASL course | Older children, homeschool learners, and classroom enrichment. | Shorter units, kid-oriented examples, workbook-style support, quizzes, and a certificate-style goal can make practice feel more concrete. | View kids course |
| Adult beginner ASL course | Parents, caregivers, teachers, teens, and adult beginners. | Adults often need the “why” behind signs: grammar, fingerspelling, facial expression, sentence structure, Deaf culture, and receptive practice. | View adult course |
| ASL Kids app | Younger children, families starting from zero, and quick practice between lessons. | Real kid-friendly sign videos make it easier to repeat signs during meals, bedtime, play, school, and family routines. | Download the app |
| Gallaudet ASL Connect | Learners who want a formal university path or deeper academic ASL study. | Strong option for serious learners who want a university-connected ASL path rather than a casual family starter course. | Visit Gallaudet ASL Connect |
| Lifeprint / ASL University | Independent learners who want a large free lesson library. | Useful for free self-study, vocabulary, and lesson review, especially before deciding whether to pay for structure. | Visit Lifeprint lessons |
What SignLanguage101 offers right now
SignLanguage101’s current course page describes on-demand ASL courses with Deaf language experts, vocabulary, numbers, ASL learning tips, captions, voiceovers, and Deaf-culture knowledge. Their kids course material is positioned for older children and homeschool or classroom support, with workbook-style practice, quizzes, and certificate-style completion.
Because course pages can change, always check the provider’s current course page before enrolling. ASL Kids should avoid making permanent claims about prices, discounts, refunds, access length, CEUs, or certificate details unless those details are being actively maintained.
How to know a paid course is worth it
- You only need first signs for a baby, toddler, or preschool routine.
- You want to see whether your child enjoys signing before spending money.
- You need quick lookup, alphabet practice, or printable classroom support.
- You are learning a few signs for meals, bedtime, family, feelings, or play.
- You want lessons in order instead of random sign lookup.
- An older child, teen, parent, or teacher needs a steady weekly routine.
- You want grammar, fingerspelling, Deaf-culture context, quizzes, or assignments.
- You want a course-style goal that helps the learner keep going.
Best path by learner
Baby or toddler
Start with routine signs and the ASL Kids app. A paid course is usually more useful for the parent than the baby.
Older child
Use the app for practice, then consider the kids course when your child can follow lessons and wants a clearer path.
Parent or caregiver
Use the adult course if you want to support your child with a more complete ASL foundation than a sign list.
Teacher or homeschool parent
Pair the course with lesson plans, printables, classroom signs, and short daily review activities.
Teen or adult beginner
Choose the adult course path if you want more explanation, vocabulary, grammar, Deaf culture, and self-paced structure.
Family learning together
Let adults take the structured path, then practice the same weekly signs with kids through the app and printables.
Our practical recommendation
For most ASL Kids visitors, the best path is simple: start free with the ASL Kids app, dictionary, and printables. If your learner keeps practicing and wants more structure, move to a course. Choose the kids course for older children and homeschool learners. Choose the adult course for parents, caregivers, teachers, teens, and adult beginners who want to learn well enough to support a child.
Build practice around your course
A course works best when learners use ASL in normal routines instead of only watching lessons. Use these free ASL Kids resources between course lessons:
- Start Learning ASL for a simple roadmap through the app, dictionary, lessons, games, and printables.
- First 50 ASL Signs for Kids for a practical beginner vocabulary list.
- ASL Signs by Routine for meals, bedtime, school, play, feelings, and transitions.
- ASL Games for Kids for short review activities between course lessons.
- ASL Lesson Plans for Kids and Free ASL Printables for structured weekly practice.
Sources and course details to check
Course availability and details can change. Before enrolling, check the provider page for current age fit, course length, access period, workbook details, completion certificate, CEUs or accreditation claims, refund policy, and pricing.
- SignLanguage101 course catalog
- SignLanguage101 kids course details
- SignLanguage101 affiliate program details
- Gallaudet ASL Connect online courses
- Lifeprint free ASL lessons
FAQ
What is the best online ASL course for kids?
For older children who can follow a course sequence, SignLanguage101 for Kids is a strong paid option. For younger children, start with simple daily signs, the ASL Kids app, and short routine practice before adding a full course.
What is the best online ASL course for adult beginners?
SignLanguage101 is a practical paid option for parents, teachers, teens, and adult beginners who want self-paced structure. Gallaudet ASL Connect is a better fit for learners who want a more formal university-connected ASL path.
Should parents take the adult course or buy the kids course?
If the child is the main learner and is old enough for structured lessons, compare the kids course. If the parent wants to support a younger child or learn ASL more seriously, the adult beginner course is usually the better fit.
Can I learn ASL for free?
Yes. Free resources like the ASL Kids app, ASL Kids dictionary, Gallaudet resources, and Lifeprint can help you begin. A paid course becomes useful when you want structure, assignments, grammar, Deaf-culture context, or a more complete learning routine.
Are online ASL courses enough to become fluent?
Online courses can build a strong foundation, but ASL fluency also requires real interaction, receptive practice, feedback, and exposure to Deaf community and culture.
Do ASL Kids course links earn a commission?
Some course links on this page are affiliate links. If you enroll through them, ASL Kids may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We still recommend starting with free resources first when that fits the learner.
Build a complete beginner path
Need a clear order for home, homeschool, or classroom practice? Use the ASL curriculum for kids to plan weekly signs, app practice, printables, games, and course options.
Print the 12-week ASL curriculum planner
Use the free planner to map weekly signs, app practice, lesson routines, a practice station checklist, and progress notes. It pairs with the full ASL curriculum for kids.
Choosing your first ASL course?
Use the ASL Course for Beginners guide to decide between a free start, a kids course, an adult beginner course, app practice, and a homeschool-friendly routine.
Need an ASL certificate, CEU, or credit path?
Use the ASL Course with Certificate guide to understand the difference between a completion certificate, CEUs, school credit, and interpreter certification before choosing a paid course.
Are you the adult learning ASL?
Use the ASL Course for Adults guide to choose a structured adult path for parents, teachers, caregivers, teens, and beginners, then pair lessons with ASL Kids app practice.
Choosing a course for a teen?
Use the ASL Course for Teens guide to decide whether your learner fits the kids course, adult beginner course, high-school-credit path, or free app practice first.
Considering SignLanguage101?
Read the SignLanguage101 review to see when it fits kids, teens, parents, teachers, and adult beginners, and when a free app path, live feedback, or credit-focused course is a better choice.
Looking for an ASL 1 course?
Use the ASL 1 Course Online guide to choose between a free app start, a self-paced kids or adult course, a high-school-credit path, or a guided course with feedback.
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.
Supporting a deaf or hard-of-hearing child?
Use the ASL for Parents of Deaf Children guide to start a family ASL path with first signs, app practice, parent course options, and trusted support resources.
Print the 30-day family ASL plan
Use the free printable to choose first signs, build a daily ASL habit, share signs with caregivers, and support a deaf or hard-of-hearing child at home.
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.
Need a simple ASL lesson sequence?
The ASL Lessons for Kids hub turns app videos, first signs, printables, games, and course paths into a practical beginner lesson order for families, teachers, homeschoolers, and children.
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.
Need a structured ASL course path for your family?
The ASL Course for Families guide compares parent courses, kids courses, free family ASL supports, app practice, and printable routines.
Considering SignLanguage101 for a child?
The SignLanguage101 for Kids review explains when the kids course fits older children, teens, and homeschool learners, and when app-first or family ASL support is the better first step.
Planning ASL for homeschool?
Use the Homeschool ASL Course guide to choose between app-first practice, a kids course, a parent course, credit planning, printables, and a weekly curriculum plan.
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.
Teaching ASL to an elementary student?
The ASL Course for Elementary Students guide helps families choose between app-first practice, weekly lessons, printables, curriculum, a kids course, and parent support.
Teaching ASL to preschoolers?
The ASL Course for Preschoolers guide helps parents and teachers choose an app-first routine path, preschool curriculum, adult course support, printables, and classroom materials without pushing a formal child course too early.
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.