Sign Language Courses: 6 Red Flags to Watch For

Sign language courses have become increasingly popular and are now more accessible than ever, whether online or in person. What about red flags? Presenting oneself as a sign language instructor is easy. But creating high-quality content and effectively teaching it to learners with diverse learning styles? That’s a whole different story! There are several red flags to watch for.

Six Red Flags to Watch For

To help you navigate your search for sign language courses, we’ve identified six red flags that will help you distinguish reliable providers from the rest.

1. Only Vocabulary, Nothing More

If the classes focus mainly on vocabulary without addressing grammar, cultural aspects, or conversational skills—run!

Any sign language is a complete language, just like English, with its own grammar and syntax. It’s crucial to develop a solid foundation in sign language grammar and structure from the start to ensure long-term progress.

2. Poorly Structured Content Full of Gaps

A well-designed curriculum should be structured to support progressive learning, from beginner to advanced levels. For example, early lessons should focus on conversational skills, including comprehension and production.

After all, why are you learning sign language? For fun, sure, but mainly to communicate with Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing individuals, right?

3. Outdated Learning Materials

Do you speak English like people did back in the ’70s and ’80s? Do you use the same vocabulary from that time? Clearly, when it comes to technology and everyday speech, English has evolved! The same is true for sign languages, which have also changed over the years.

If you find yourself with a 1994 textbook and pixelated videos in your class, it might be a sign that the materials may not have kept up with language evolution or modern teaching practices.

4. Unqualified “Instructors” Teaching the Courses

Would you take a second-language course, like Spanish, from an instructor without the proper qualifications? The same applies to sign language classes.

The ideal instructor should, at a minimum, be a native signer, a member of the Deaf community, and, most importantly, have completed specialized training in sign language education.

5. Ineffective Teaching Methods

Would you enjoy a class where you’re bombarded with vocabulary without any interaction or visual support? Probably not!

A high quality sign language course must include live practice sessions, group activities, and individual support. It should also provide visual aids such as videos, images, and notes.

An immersive approach where only sign language is used, without reliance on voice or written text is a key criterion for quality sign language courses worldwide.

6. Lack of Accreditation or Non-Compliance with Standards

For spoken and written languages like French, English, Greek, Japanese, and Arabic, official standards exist, such as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). So why should it be any different for sign languages?

Actually, there is a CEFR specifically designed for sign languages, ProSign, with a section dedicated to sign language teaching.

Taking a sign language course is an investment in both time and money. So, make sure it’s a high-quality one and, above all, a safe investment!

Happy shopping!