SignLanguage101 Review
Is SignLanguage101 a good ASL course for kids, teens, parents, and beginners?
Short answer: it can be a strong low-friction paid course path when you want structured on-demand ASL lessons, Deaf instructors, captions or voiceover support, and a clear beginner sequence. It is not the best first purchase for every family.
- Best for older kids, teens, parents, teachers, and adult beginners who can follow a course.
- Less ideal for toddlers, preschoolers, learners needing live feedback, or official school credit.
- Pair course lessons with the ASL Kids app, dictionary, and weekly practice plan.
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. This review is based on the provider’s current public course pages, FAQs, and policies, plus how those course paths fit ASL Kids families. Course details, prices, age ranges, certificates, CEUs, access length, refund rules, and credit policies can change, so check the provider’s current page before enrolling.
Which SignLanguage101 option should you click?
If you already know the learner, start here. This keeps the review useful for families while giving ready-to-buy visitors a faster, trackable route to the right course or alternative.
Older child or teen
Best when the learner can follow video lessons, use a workbook, and practice weekly with a parent, teacher, or homeschool adult.
Parent, teacher, or adult
Best when the adult needs clearer ASL structure, grammar, fingerspelling, Deaf-culture context, and a course order to follow.
Younger child or first signs
Best first step for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and families who should try short routine signs before paying for a course.
Credit or live feedback
Best when a teen needs transcript approval, a learner needs instructor feedback, or the goal is a more formal ASL class path.
Quick verdict
SignLanguage101 is a good fit when the learner needs a simple, affordable, self-paced ASL course with a defined lesson order. The kids course is especially relevant for older children and teens because the current course page says it is designed for ages 10-18 and includes a workbook, video lessons, vocabulary, homeschool/classroom support, and a certificate of completion. The adult course path is better for parents, teachers, caregivers, older teens, and adult beginners who want more adult pacing.
Choose a different path if you need live instructor feedback, official university credit, a high-school transcript provider, interpreter qualification, or a toddler/preschool routine-sign plan.
Best fit by learner
Good fit
The kids/teen course can work when the learner is old enough to watch lessons, copy signs carefully, use a workbook, and review with a parent or teacher.
Strong fit
The adult beginner path can help adults learn enough structure to model signs better at home, in a classroom, or during homeschool lessons.
Start free first
Young children usually do better with short routine signs, real-life practice, and app videos before a full paid course. Start small, then upgrade later.
What SignLanguage101 gets right
- Its course catalog lists adult and kids categories, with individual beginner courses and bundles.
- The provider says courses include vocabulary, numbers, ASL learning tips, Deaf-culture knowledge, captions, and voiceovers.
- The kids Level 1A course page lists 63 lessons, flexible 10-week pacing, a digital workbook, one year of access, and a completion certificate.
- The adult Level 1A curriculum includes non-verbal communication, facial expressions, word order, WH-questions, numbers, fingerspelling, quizzes, practice, and Deaf culture.
- The public refund terms currently allow eligible online-course refunds within 30 days if less than half the course has been completed and the learner has not previously received a refund for the course.
Where families should be cautious
- Do not assume a completion certificate equals high-school credit, college credit, CEU acceptance, or interpreter qualification.
- Families with teens should read account and parent-consent terms before creating accounts for minors.
- Self-paced video works best with repeated practice; a course alone will not create fluency without signing with real people.
- Some learners need live feedback. If that is the priority, compare options such as Start ASL guided feedback, Signing Online video evaluation, Gallaudet ASL Connect, local classes, or Deaf-community practice.
- Prices and bundle savings change. Check the live provider page before buying.
SignLanguage101 vs other ASL course paths
| Option | Best for | Strength | Watch out for | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SignLanguage101 Kids | Older children, teens, homeschool, classroom support | Self-paced, kid/teen course path, workbook, certificate, Deaf curriculum specialists | Not a toddler-first plan and not automatic school credit | View kids course |
| SignLanguage101 Adult | Parents, teachers, caregivers, older teens, adult beginners | Structured beginner lessons, grammar, fingerspelling, quizzes, Deaf-culture content | Self-paced; add real practice and feedback when possible | View adult course |
| ASL Kids app and free guides | First signs, babies, preschool, families testing interest | Low-pressure app practice, dictionary lookup, printables, routine signs | Not a full formal course by itself | Start free |
| Start ASL guided path | Learners who want instructor feedback and group practice | Guided students can receive feedback on signing assignments and join live practice sessions | May be more expensive or more involved than a simple self-paced course | Compare Start ASL |
| Signing Online | Structured ASL 101-104 path and optional video evaluation | Course levels and evaluation option for expressive skills | Check current price, enrollment rules, and whether it fits your learner | Compare Signing Online |
| Gallaudet ASL Connect | Formal credit, non-credit transcript, university path, serious learners | Six-level curriculum, Deaf faculty, live virtual sessions, credit pathways | Higher cost and more formal enrollment process | Compare Gallaudet |
How to use SignLanguage101 with ASL Kids
The best setup for many families is not course versus app. It is course plus practice. Use SignLanguage101 for lesson order, assignments, quizzes, and course motivation. Use ASL Kids for short sign videos, quick dictionary lookup, family routines, printables, and review between lessons.
Who should buy, wait, or choose another path?
Buy if…
You want a reasonably priced, self-paced course for an older child, teen, parent, teacher, or beginner adult, and you can practice consistently.
Wait if…
Your child is very young, your family is not sure it will stick, or you have not tried first signs with app videos and routines yet.
Choose another path if…
You need live feedback, transfer credit, school-approved transcripts, interpreter preparation, or a formal university/non-credit transcript.
Related ASL Kids guides
Best Online ASL Course
Compare free, app, kids course, adult course, and formal-credit paths.
ASL Course for Teens
Decide between the kids course, adult course, high-school-credit planning, and free app practice.
ASL Course for High School Credit
Use this before assuming any course will satisfy transcript or credit requirements.
Sources and references
- SignLanguage101 course catalog
- SignLanguage101 Level 1A kids/teen course details
- SignLanguage101 Level 1A adult beginner course details
- SignLanguage101 frequently asked questions
- SignLanguage101 terms and refund policy
- SignLanguage101 affiliate program
- Start ASL online course information
- Signing Online course information
- Gallaudet ASL Connect
- NIDCD: What Is American Sign Language?
SignLanguage101 review FAQ
Is SignLanguage101 good for kids?
SignLanguage101 can be a good fit for older kids and teens who can follow video lessons, use a workbook, and practice with an adult. For toddlers and many preschoolers, start with routine signs, the ASL Kids app, and short daily practice first.
Is SignLanguage101 good for adults?
Yes, it can be a practical adult beginner path when you want self-paced video lessons, grammar, vocabulary, fingerspelling, quizzes, and Deaf-culture context. Add live practice or feedback if your goal is fluency.
Does SignLanguage101 count for high school credit?
Do not assume it counts automatically. If a teen needs high school credit, get approval from the school, homeschool parent, umbrella program, charter, co-op, or credit-awarding provider before relying on any online course.
Will SignLanguage101 make me an interpreter?
No beginner online course should be treated as interpreter qualification. Interpreter preparation requires much deeper ASL fluency, Deaf-community experience, ethics, interpreting training, assessment, and any required state or professional credentials.
Should I choose the kids course or adult course for a teen?
Choose the kids course for a younger teen who benefits from a friendlier, workbook-based path. Choose the adult course for an older or more self-directed teen who wants adult pacing and deeper explanations.
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.
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.
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.