Learn sign language

Discover how online sign language courses can help you build a skill that offers both personal and professional fulfillment. Read on to explore educational pathways and career options.

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Sign Language | Introduction Image Description

Why learn sign language?

Fluency in sign language allows you to contribute to a more inclusive environment where deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can receive clear and accurate information.

Learning another language, including sign language, can also enhance your cognitive abilities and expand your professional horizons, boosting employment prospects in healthcare, education, the public sector, and business.

Browse online Sign Language Certificates

Find new interests and advance your career opportunities

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

Earn a valuable credential

Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.

Certificates

Choosing the right sign language program for you

Choosing the right edX program becomes easier when you know your options. Here are four pathways you may take to learn sign language, depending on your professional experience and goals.

Courses

Online sign language courses allow beginners to grasp the basics of sign language. Courses for intermediate learners may explore signs used in specific cultures or professions.

Certifications

Certification programs are another pathway to learn the fundamentals of sign language and build connections with Deaf culture. These programs require you to agree to a code of ethics and pass an exam to verify your knowledge.

Executive education

Sign language executive education programs may be right for you if you plan to pursue a leadership role in your chosen industry. These programs can help you enhance your interpersonal skills by learning how to use sign language in business settings.

Degrees

An associate, bachelor's, or master's degree in sign language, Deaf culture, or interpretation can help you build a career as an interpreter or prepare you to work with people in the Deaf community. Along with extensive instruction in sign language, these degrees may include coursework on interpretation theory and intercultural communication.

Jobs in sign language

Learning sign language can help you land a number of roles in which clear and accurate communication is key. Consider the following jobs that you may wish to pursue once you have become proficient in the language.

Interpreter

Interpreters convert information from one language to another. As a sign language interpreter, you may work in a variety of settings, such as business meetings, large-scale events, schools, and hospitals, to clearly interpret messages, including nuances in style and tone.

Required education: Bachelor's degree
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) median annual salary (2023): $57,090

High school teacher

A bachelor's degree in sign language could qualify you to teach sign language in schools. As a teacher, you may assess students' academic abilities, plan and teach lessons, grade completed work, communicate with families about student progress, and work with students to set goals and improve their skill sets.

Required education: Bachelor's degree and licensure
BLS median annual salary (2023): $65,220

Community health worker

Community health workers support the wellbeing of people in their local area. In this role, you may coordinate care with social services, conduct home visits, provide informational resources, advocate for your clients to business leaders and policymakers, and provide coaching on nutrition, disease management, and mental health.

Required education: High school diploma or equivalent
BLS median annual salary (2023): $48,200

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FAQs about sign language

Why should I learn sign language?

If you want to help foster a culture of inclusivity for people living with deafness, learning sign language can be a great first step. Education in the language can also open doors to many career options.

How long does it take to learn sign language?

You can complete online sign language courses in as little as four weeks, or enroll in a bachelor's or master's degree program, which can take several years. No matter what path you take, becoming proficient will likely take several years of study and practice.

How hard is it to learn sign language?

Learning sign language is similar to learning any other language. You might find it easy to pick up individual signs, but signing fluently while communicating tone may prove much more challenging.