Signing Online

What it is

Signing Online is an online American Sign Language (ASL) program for learners, with a version for schools that teach ASL. Its home page sums up the aim in one line: "Our online sign language classes are designed to effectively teach American Sign Language from anywhere." The program was created, the site says, "for people of all ages and backgrounds who wish to learn ASL but have little or no access to instructors or for those students who require curriculum for ASL classes."

The site makes a point of who gains most. Learning ASL "can be especially beneficial to those who regularly interact with the deaf community or the hard of hearing as sign language can bridge the gap of communication for them." Its stated commitment is "providing the very best in American Sign Language education by providing a deep-dive into the skills needed to master conversations in ASL."

The offer is simple to describe: four sequential courses, from Beginning to Advanced, each sold separately, plus a paid video evaluation of your signing and an enrollment extension. Schools get an administrative view of their students, and individual learners can earn continuing education credit. A banner on the home page points both returning users and newcomers to a New Platform Announcement, so the program now runs on a new platform, and a welcome video sits at the top of the page.

The four courses

The curriculum runs in four levels, each with its own lesson plan page on the site.

Beginning ASL (ASL 101) is for "beginners who are just starting out in American sign language." It teaches the importance of ASL in deaf culture and how to start and end a conversation. The site calls it a "10-lesson course" that is "step by step" and covers meeting someone, with the common phrases that go with it.

Basic ASL (ASL 102) is also a 10-lesson course. It "focuses on family and continuing to expand your ASL vocabulary", and the lessons "highlight how to communicate with the deaf community utilizing ASL as a second language." The site describes it as "more intensive in learning ASL" than the first course.

Intermediate ASL (ASL 103) has a clear theme: "The intermediate online sign language classes high point is food!" Learners practice ordering meals, from entrees to desserts, at a restaurant, and the course moves on to buying items at malls and stores. The point, the site says, is to "practice and apply what you have learned to real world scenarios."

Advanced ASL (ASL 104) is "for advanced signers." Its lessons go over talking about school, describing someone and the weather, and the course also covers sports and games. The site says this final course will help you become a well-rounded signer with broad knowledge of ASL.

The progression is easy to follow: greetings and conversation basics, then family, then food and shopping, then school, weather and sport. Each step adds vocabulary for a part of daily life, which suits someone who wants to sign with a particular person as much as a student working toward a school credit.

Getting started

Signing up has three steps on the home page. You create an account, which "only takes a couple minutes"; you pick your curriculum and "Start learning at any comfort level" (Beginning, Basic, Intermediate or Advanced); then you start learning. You do not have to begin at ASL 101 if you already sign. Before paying, you can "Try A Lesson For Free". The site also has a References section, an FAQ and a Contact Us page.

Prices

Signing Online publishes its prices on the home page, in US dollars, per course:

• Beginning ASL 101: USD $105.00 to USD $170.00
• Basic ASL 102: USD $105.00 to USD $170.00
• Intermediate ASL 103: USD $105.00 to USD $170.00
• Advanced ASL 104: USD $105.00 to USD $170.00

Each course shows the note "This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page", so the final price depends on the option you pick on that course's page. The home page does not say what the variants are.

Two add-ons are listed. A Video Evaluation costs USD $60.00 and is meant for "those students who desire feedback on their" expressive skills, in other words a review of their own signing. A Course Enrollment Extension costs USD $30.00 and will "Extend your course enrollment by 6 months", which helps a learner who needs more time to finish a level.

For schools and school districts

A separate section speaks to anyone "Applying On Behalf of A School Or School District". The site states that its "curriculum is recognized by national and international schools, organizations and teachers at every level", without naming them on the home page.

For teachers, the program is "Instructor friendly", with "many additional curriculum materials available" under an Instructor Support tab. "Teachers and administrators of large groups have access to separate tools including an administrative program page showing student progress and grades", and the site menu includes a Group Progress page.

The site also suggests how a school can schedule the courses: "Schools often use Beginning (ASL 101) and Basic (ASL 102) for year one with Intermediate (ASL 103) and Advanced (ASL 104) for year two." With a school's permission, a student can use the online curriculum for "graduation credit, direct study, elective, credit recovery, or foreign language." A closing banner sums it up as "Earn School Credits While Learning A Valuable Skill."

Continuing education credit and personal learners

For professionals, the home page asks "Are You Looking For Continuing Education Credit?" and answers "Earn Continuing Education credit. Please check with your association to confirm." It refers learners to the FAQ page for more detail.

For individuals, the site speaks to anyone who wants "to learn and practice American Sign Language as a hobby, or to communicate with a deaf relative or friend", and to students learning ASL for school.

Who it suits

Signing Online suits learners who want a structured ASL course without a local class: a parent, partner or friend of someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, a hobbyist, or a student who needs ASL for a language or elective credit and has a school willing to accept it. The clear four-level sequence and the published prices make it easy to plan, whether you buy one level at a time or all four. Schools and districts get a ready curriculum split across two years, extra teaching materials and a progress and grades view for their groups, and professionals can look into continuing education credit with their association.

The caveat is that personal feedback on your signing is sold as a separate Video Evaluation, so learners who want their signing checked should add it to the course price.