Find American Sign Language Lessons with Excellent Teachers

Online lessons are effective, affordable, and accessible. Lessonface qualifies teachers in over 300 music, language, and arts subjects, including American Sign Language. Students can browse teachers' profiles, send them messages, and book lessons securely through Lessonface. Lessons happen via Zoom links that are securely generated for each lesson, and can be easily recorded by the teacher. Recordings, notes, and attachments can all be accessed from within the Lessonface dashboard. Lessons can be booked one at a time, in packages, or by subscription to save a spot on the teacher's calendar. Lessonface hosts recitals, open mics, group classes, and self-paced courses too. Registering an account is free so it's easy to get started reaching out to find your ideal instructor. Contact us with any further questions!

With over 100 qualified American Sign Language teachers who have together earned an average of 0 out of 5 stars over 0 lesson reviews by verified students, you can be sure to find a great instructor at Lessonface.

Lessonface offers free tools to help you find the ideal tutor for you or your family:

1. Use the open filtering system
2. Use our matching service to describe your background, scheduling preferences, and any particular goals, and qualified American Sign Language teachers will respond.

You can view teachers' bios, accolades, rates, send them a message and book lessons from their profiles.

Many teachers offer a free trial, and you can book lessons one at a time until you decide you prefer to book a bundle or subscribe, so don't hesitate to try. Teachers may also offer group classes, self-paced courses, and downloadable content, so there are more ways to get started while you're still getting acquainted with the community.

American Sign Language teachers on Lessonface set their own rates. Rates are displayed on the teachers' profile pages and in the checkout process prior to booking. Teachers may choose to change their rates for new bookings, and students will always be notified prior to making payment. The average price for a American Sign Language lesson offered at Lessonface is currently $30.75. Some American Sign Language teachers offer a free trial lesson to new students, which are not factored into the average prices.

There is no fee until you book your first paid lesson. Many teachers offer free trial lessons. Students can opt to book one a time, or purchase lesson packages or subscriptions for scheduling convenience, and, depending on the teachers, a discount. Payment can be made by credit card or Paypal. Lessons booked with a subscription are pre-paid three days before the end of the month for lessons that are scheduled for the following month. Subscription payments can only be made by credit card (not Paypal). Teachers receive their payment after the lesson has been completed.

American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete, natural language with its own grammar, syntax, and linguistic structure—entirely distinct from English. ASL uses hand shapes, movements, facial expressions, and body language to communicate meaning. It's the primary language of the Deaf community in the United States and parts of Canada, with an estimated 500,000 to 2 million users.

Sign language is not universal. Just as spoken languages differ by country and region, signed languages vary across the world. British Sign Language (BSL), for example, is mutually unintelligible with ASL despite both countries speaking English. Each has evolved independently within its own Deaf community with unique vocabulary, grammar rules, and cultural influences.

Other signing systems you might encounter include Signing Exact English (SEE) and Pidgin Signed English (PSE). SEE is not a natural language but rather a manually coded system that represents English word-for-word, following English grammar and word order. PSE blends ASL signs with English grammar and is often used by hearing people learning to sign or in educational settings. Unlike ASL, which has its own linguistic structure, SEE and PSE are tied directly to English and lack the grammatical complexity and cultural roots of true ASL.

Understanding these distinctions helps learners appreciate ASL as a rich, independent language with its own community and culture—not simply a visual version of English.

ASL learners come from incredibly diverse backgrounds, each with their own motivations for studying this rich visual language. Parents of Deaf or hard-of-hearing children often begin learning ASL to communicate fully with their kids and participate meaningfully in Deaf culture. Family members and friends of Deaf individuals learn ASL to strengthen relationships and ensure no one feels isolated at gatherings or in everyday conversation.

Many professionals pursue ASL for career reasons. Teachers, speech therapists, social workers, healthcare providers, and customer service professionals learn ASL to better serve Deaf clients and colleagues. Others are preparing for interpreter training programs, which require strong ASL proficiency and cultural knowledge before admission.

A growing number of people study ASL out of pure interest in language and culture. Some are fascinated by visual-spatial languages and how they differ from spoken languages. Others appreciate the cognitive benefits—research shows that learning sign language can enhance visual-spatial skills, memory, and even understanding of linguistic concepts. ASL is also increasingly popular as a foreign language credit in schools and universities.

Additionally, children of Deaf adults (known as CODAs) often grow up learning ASL as a first or heritage language. Whatever brings someone to ASL, the journey typically leads to a deeper appreciation for Deaf culture, community, and the beauty of visual communication.

The timeline for ASL fluency varies widely depending on your practice habits, learning environment, and goals. Most learners can master basic conversational skills—introducing themselves, discussing everyday topics, and understanding simple signed conversations—within 6 to 12 months of consistent study and practice. Reaching intermediate fluency typically takes 2 to 3 years, while true advanced fluency often requires 4 to 5 years or more of immersion and regular interaction with native signers.

Many beginners start by learning the ASL alphabet and fingerspelling, which can be memorized in a matter of days or weeks. However, fingerspelling is used primarily for proper names, specific terms, or words without established signs—it's not the foundation of ASL communication. Basic signs for common words and phrases are far more important for everyday conversation and should be your primary focus early on.

The key to fast progress is consistent practice with real people. Weekly lessons provide structure and feedback, but daily practice helps develop muscle memory for hand shapes and movements. Watching ASL videos, attending Deaf community events, or practicing with conversation partners accelerates learning significantly. Unlike spoken languages where you might get by with listening alone, ASL requires active visual attention and physical practice to truly internalize.

Remember that becoming conversational also means understanding Deaf culture and communication norms, which develops naturally alongside your language skills through exposure and respectful engagement with the Deaf community.

Every ASL sign is built from five fundamental parameters that work together to create meaning. Understanding these components helps learners recognize patterns, remember signs more easily, and even deconstruct unfamiliar signs when watching native signers.

Handshape refers to the specific configuration of your fingers and thumb when forming a sign. ASL uses dozens of distinct handshapes, from a closed fist to an open palm to more complex shapes like the "bent V" or "curved 5." Even a slight change in handshape can completely alter a sign's meaning.

Palm orientation describes which direction your palm faces—toward you, away from you, up, down, or to the side. The sign for "me" and "you," for example, use the same handshape and location but differ in palm orientation.

Location indicates where the sign is made in relation to your body—for example, at the forehead, chest, chin, or in neutral space in front of you. Location often relates to a sign's meaning—many emotion-related signs, for instance, are made near the chest or heart area.

Movement describes how your hands move when creating a sign—straight, circular, repeated, bouncing, or stationary. Movement adds crucial grammatical and semantic information. The speed or repetition of a movement can indicate intensity, duration, or plurality.

Non-manual signals (NMS) include facial expressions, head movements, shoulder shifts, and mouth morphemes that modify or complete a sign's meaning. These aren't just for emphasis—they're grammatically essential. A raised eyebrow can turn a statement into a yes/no question, while a furrowed brow indicates a "wh-question" (who, what, where, when, why).

Together, these five parameters create the building blocks of ASL grammar and vocabulary, making it a rich and expressive visual language.

Online ASL lessons require minimal equipment, but good visibility is essential since ASL is a visual language. At minimum, you'll need a device with a webcam (laptop, tablet, or desktop with an external camera), a stable internet connection, and Zoom installed on the device you'll use. Lessonface connects teachers and students directly over Zoom, so you don't need your own account.

Camera quality and positioning matter significantly. Your camera should capture your hands, arms, upper body, and face clearly—this means positioning yourself far enough back so your entire signing space is visible. A laptop's built-in camera typically works fine if you're seated at the right distance. Good lighting is crucial: face a window or light source so your teacher can see your hand shapes and facial expressions clearly. Avoid backlighting (sitting in front of a bright window) which can make you appear as a silhouette.

A plain, uncluttered background helps your signs stand out visually. Wear solid-colored clothing that contrasts with your skin tone and avoid busy patterns, so that your hand movements are easier to track.

You don't need special software or apps beyond standard video conferencing tools. Some learners find it helpful to have a second device or screen for reference materials, but this isn't necessary—your teacher will guide you through everything during lessons.

The beauty of online ASL lessons is that the video format naturally suits the visual nature of the language. You'll see your teacher's demonstrations clearly, and they can observe your signing to provide immediate feedback on hand shape, movement, and facial expressions.