This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
ASL is the third most commonly used language in the United States. Sign up for this course to improve your communication skills, learn about deaf culture, and earn a great addition to any college or job application.
Total classes: 13
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Suggested credit: One semester ASL or Foreign Language. Note: ASL meets many states’ requirements for foreign language. Part One and Part Two of this course combined are the equivalent of one full year of foreign language.
Special Notes: This is Part One of a two-part course. Students are expected to also register for Part Two in the spring.
Students must have a working web camera and permission from parents to appear on the class recordings.
Description
This is a first year course for those who would like a foundation in communicating with American Sign Language (ASL). We will follow the format of Dawn Sign Press’s “Signing Naturally” series. Topics revolve around sharing information about ourselves and our environment. Grammar is introduced in context, with an emphasis on developing question and answer skills. You will learn strategies to help you maintain a conversation. Interactive activities will reinforce what you’ve learned. A conversational curriculum requires you to be an active learner. Come prepared to sign with the instructor and your classmates. Fall Semester will cover Units 1, 2, & 4.
Outline
Week 1 Basics of ASL, Alphabet & Numbers
Week 2 Getting to Know You, Basics Continued
Week 3 Introductions, Numbers
Week 4 Asking “Wh” Questions
Week 5 Giving Commands
Week 6 Giving Information
Week 7 Identifying Locations, Numbers
Week 8 Leisure Activities, Culture Highlights
Week 9 Identifying People
Week 10 Numbers Game, Holidays
Week 11 Immediate Family & Siblings
Week 12 Extended Family
Week 13 Family Variations & Descriptions
Materials and Homework
Course Materials: Signing Naturally Units 1-6, Student Set ISBN: 978-1-58121-210-5
https://www.dawnsign.com/products/details/signing-naturally-units-1-6-student-set
(12-month Video Library access is included with the purchase of every set.)
Try BookFinder.com for a used copy. The textbook is not required but highly recommended and will be used for the full year.
Homework: Weekly practice of the signs and conversations covered in the course, watching online videos of signing (one to three hours per week), automated quizzes, and optional homework practice from the Student Workbook.
Important Dates
Class dates: Wednesdays, September 6 to December 13, 2023 (No class Nov. 1 or Nov. 22)
Starting time: 11:30 AM Eastern (10:30 Central; 9:30 Mountain; 8:30 Pacific)
Duration per class: 55 minutes
