asl.gs

What It Is

The page crawled from asl.gs is essentially an entry point to Dr. Bill Vicars’ American Sign Language (ASL) resources, although the main content repeatedly shows “404 page / Page not found.” Even so, the page still states that ASL University (Lifeprint.com) is a free resource for ASL learners, and provides a fingerspelling practice link at asl.ms, along with a prompt to visit Lifeprint.com to learn ASL.

Core Courses and Format

Based on the text, the course content focuses on American Sign Language (ASL) and fingerspelling, including A–Z letter spelling. It does not appear to be a typical course platform: there is no clear mention of live classes, recorded courses, 1-on-1 tutoring, class management, or a structured learning path. Instead, it is closer to an open web-based self-study resource. One notable point is that teachers are allowed to use the curriculum to teach their own offline ASL classes, suggesting that the material has some value as a teaching reference.

Instructors, Certificates, and Pricing

In terms of instructor background, the page is credited to Dr. Bill Vicars / Dr. William Vicars. It also mentions that the online ASL course dates back to as early as 1997, when it began through America Online Campus chat rooms and a small website. As for pricing, the page clearly describes it as a free resource, making it highly cost-effective. However, there is no information about accreditation, certificates, exams, or completion credentials, so it may not be sufficient if your goal is to obtain a formal qualification.

Pros and Cons

The main advantages are that it is free, has a long history, and serves a clearly defined audience, including students, teachers, interpreters, and parents of deaf children. The content also appears to be under continuous development, with the text stating that signs and information are added almost daily. The drawbacks are also obvious: the crawled page is currently a 404 page, contains a lot of repeated content, and has unclear navigation and course structure. It also lacks details on interactive feedback, learning records, payments, or customer support.

Who It’s For and Access from China

This resource is better suited to learners who can read English and want to self-study basic ASL or practice fingerspelling. It can also be useful for teachers preparing lesson materials. The text does not provide information about access from China, so it is unclear whether the site can be reached directly. If access is unstable, you can try the main site Lifeprint.com, asl.ms, or look for domestic sign language courses or international ASL video courses as alternatives.