Help & Support

Overview

Start ASL offers several ways to learn American Sign Language depending on your goals, learning style, and support needs.

Whether you're learning independently, as a family, for homeschool, or for school credit, this guide will help you choose the best option.

Quick Comparison

Online Self-Study

Online Self-Study is designed for students who want to learn independently and at their own pace.

Includes

• Full online course access

• Vocabulary instruction

• Grammar instruction

• Quizzes and activities

• Progress tracking

• Completion certificates

Best For

• Independent learners

• Homeschool students

• Adult learners

• Students who prefer maximum flexibility

Choose Online Self-Study if you are comfortable learning on your own and do not need instructor feedback.

See Online Self Study Options >

Online Guided

Online Guided includes everything in Online Self-Study plus additional instructor support.

Includes

• Full online course access

• Instructor feedback

• Assignment grading

• Practice Sessions

• Office Hours

• Verified completion documentation

• Grade reports (when requested)

Best For

• Students seeking accountability

• Students needing feedback

• Learners who benefit from additional support

• Students pursuing school credit that requires verification

Choose Online Guided if you want direct access to instructors and personalized support throughout your learning journey.

See Online Guided Options >

Offline Course Downloads

The Offline Course provides downloadable versions of the course materials for learning without a reliable internet connection.

Includes

• Downloadable lessons

• Downloadable videos

• Downloadable course materials

Best For

• Students with limited internet access

• Travelers

• Military personnel

• Remote learners

Important

The Offline Course does not include:

• Online progress tracking

• Instructor support

• Assignment grading

• Completion certificates

Choose the Offline Course if you need the flexibility of learning without an internet connection.

See Offline Course Options >

Learning as a Family

Many families choose to learn ASL together.

Popular family options include:

Online Self-Study

• Flexible scheduling

• Self-paced learning

• Independent study

Online Guided

• Instructor feedback

• Practice Sessions

• Office Hours

• Additional accountability

Offline Course Downloads

• Learn anywhere

• No internet required after download

Homeschool Families

Start ASL is widely used by homeschool families.

Many homeschoolers choose:

• Online Self-Study

• Online Guided

• Offline Course Downloads

Larger homeschool groups and co-ops may also qualify for group purchasing options.

Homeschool Discounts

We offer special pricing for homeschool families, co-ops, and homeschool organizations. More information can be found in our Homeschool Discounts article. 

School Credit

Many students use Start ASL courses to earn world language credit through:

• High schools

• Homeschool programs

• Colleges

• Independent study programs

Important:

• Credit is awarded by your school, not Start ASL.

• Schools determine whether they will accept our courses for credit.

• Online Guided is often recommended when schools require verified grades or completion documentation.

See our article: Can I Earn School Credit with Start ASL? for complete details.

What Age Is Start ASL Designed For?

Start ASL courses and curriculum were designed primarily for students ages 13 and older.

Many high schools, homeschool programs, and adult learners use our courses.

Younger students may also be successful if they:

• Have a strong interest in learning ASL

• Can work independently

• Have support from a parent, teacher, or homeschool instructor

For younger learners, we generally recommend active guidance from a parent or teacher.

Free Resources

If you're new to ASL, Start ASL offers many free resources to help you get started.

These include:

• Free ASL lessons

• Vocabulary resources

• Fingerspelling practice

• Grammar articles

• Deaf culture resources

We also offer a Free ASL 1 Trial Course that allows you to experience the Start ASL learning platform before purchasing a full course.

See Free Resources > 

Can I See Samples Before Purchasing?

Yes.

You can view samples and sign up for a free trial of our Online Course on this page: https://www.startasl.com/learn-sign-language-asl

You can download samples of our other resources here:

• Offline Course: https://files2.startasl.com/ASL_Offline_Sample.zip 
• DJSC! Student Guides:
  https://files2.startasl.com/maslg_sample.pdf
  https://files2.startasl.com/asldc_sample.pdf
  https://files2.startasl.com/dex_sample.pdf
  https://files2.startasl.com/dct_sample.pdf

Which Option Should I Choose?

Choose Online Self-Study if:

• You want to learn independently

• You do not need instructor feedback

• You prefer maximum flexibility

Choose Online Guided if:

• You want instructor support

• You would benefit from accountability

• You need verified grades or completion documentation

Choose Offline Course Downloads if:

• You need offline access

• Your internet connection is unreliable

• You want downloadable course materials