Novice & Intermediate School American Sign Language (ASL) Courses

American Sign Language 1, 2, 3 or 4

American Sign Language 1 (Introduction to Blind and Deaf Culture)

This world language will provide an introduction to American Sign Language {ASL}, the primary language of the Deaf. This course is designed for students with little or no previous knowledge of American Sign Language. The course will also afford students insight into the culture of the Deaf community. An emphasis will be placed on basic ASL vocabulary development, and an introduction to the syntax and grammar, sentence structure, and the cultural foundations of ASL. Students will learn the manual alphabet (i.e., fingerspelling), numbers, and basic ASL vocabulary (e.g., vocabulary related to Students will work on developing both an expressive and receptive understanding of WH questions, Yes/No questions, basic sentence structure, directional verbs, and the use of imperatives, family, occupations, clothing, of ASL through demonstrations, dialogues, and videos. They will also be able to recognize some cultural practices.  They will be able to understand some simple questions and statements, often needing to see things again.  Course topics vary slightly by language, but are all culturally based through authentic resources, and can include greetings, your name, and where you learned ASL. 

American Sign Language 2 

This course is a continuation of ASL 1.  Students will continue to build on the language skills acquired in ASL 1. It will begin with a review of curriculum from ASL 1, progressing to new vocabulary, as well as a continued understanding of syntax, grammar, and body language which will advance the students to a higher level of expressive and receptive ability.  Through the integration of receptive and expressive language skills, as well as important cultural concepts, students learn to communicate in the target language with progressively more competence. Students will continue to practice and refine their fingerspelling and signing skills and expand their knowledge of the Deaf, and hard-of-hearing culture, and related technologies and the ethical decisions related to them. Conversational skill practice will be emphasized throughout the course. Students will communicate about topics relating to holiday gatherings, food preparation, daily routines, and academic choices.  In addition, common phrases used to talk about the family and relatives, terminology popular in the Deaf community, and common means of communicating with a Deaf person including the use of a TTY which allows Deaf people to have conversations over a phone line. 

American Sign Language 3 

This course is designed for students who have taken American Sign Language 1 and 2. Students continue to acquire more complex features of grammar and lexical skills that will enable them to communicate with more fluency and competency in social, academic and professional situations within an authentic cultural context. Students will extend and improve their knowledge of both expressive and receptive vocabulary in ASL. Facial expressions and body movement associated with the syntax of ASL will be emphasized. 

Students will understand the different meanings that an ASL sign might have, varying the meaning of an ASL sign by changes in sign movement and facial expressions. Students are exploring the target language and culture in terms of everyday life.   

American Sign Language 4

This course will continue ASL receptive/expressive instruction. Receptive and expressive abilities are enhanced through exposure to selected stylistic, regional, and age renditions, as well as additional ASL vocabulary with emphasis on facial expressions and body language used for grammatical and emotive purposes. Students will sign conversations that take place around the house and school, common phrases associated with talking about the weather and sports. This course prepares students for further study and professional careers requiring competence in ASL and understanding of Deaf culture. By the end of the semester, they will be able to sign familiar words, and phrases and even begin to elaborate on familiar tasks, topics, and activities.  They will begin to give their opinion about some cultural practices.  Course topics vary slightly by language but are all culturally based through authentic resources and can include greetings and getting to know each other, celebrations, using technology or not and daily life experiences including routine and school.

*Course work is broken into modules that students can access at their own pace. 

For school districts interested in enrolling multiple students or classes, we are happy to offer special district and cohort pricing. Please reach out to Elisa Kirschhoffer at k12programs@idiomaconsulting.com for more information.