Course Offerings

American Sign Language 1

Welcome to the exciting world of American Sign Language (ASL)! In this Level 1 course, you embark on a journey to communicate with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community in their native language. Get ready to learn the basics of ASL grammar, hand shapes, facial expressions and body language. You learn how to introduce yourself, ask questions and hold basic conversations. With the help of dynamic and engaging instructors, you have the opportunity to practice signing in real-life scenarios and gain the confidence to use ASL in your daily life. Whether you're seeking to better connect with a loved one who is Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing, hoping to incorporate ASL into your employment skills or simply interested in learning a new language, this course helps you get started on the path to reach your goal.

Course Objectives

Recognize and produce basic vocabulary items

Demonstrate comprehensive mastery of content-specific commands, questions and statements

Demonstrate comprehension and conversation facilitating behaviors

Demonstrate comprehension and production of regulating behaviors such as attention-getting techniques, turn-taking signals and others

Comprehend and produce short narratives and stories in ASL

Compare, contrast and interpret differences and commonalities among Deaf and hearing cultures

Outline of Instruction

Introduction to signing and Deaf culture, signs for getting to know someone and for use in the classroom

Recognize yes/no question and why question facial expressions, signs for talking about family

ASL parameters: handshape, location, movement and orientation, signs for talking about school

Expressing opposites and inflection through modifying signs; classifiers, signs for talking about home, relationships and emotions

Eye gaze, noun-verb pairs, agreement verbs, signs for talking about places in the community

Time, topicalizing vs. SVO, signs for talking about time, colors

Getting someone's attention, turn-taking, signs for talking about food

History of Gallaudet University, signs for talking about clothing

Code switching, contact sign language, incorporating numbers into signs, signs for talking about things in our homes

Cardinal and ordinal numbers, loan signs, lexicalized fingerspelling, signs for talking about animals

Contact Hours

CEUs

Yes

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

Certification

None

Website

None

Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements

CE or CU Articulation

Prerequisites

N/A

Learning Supplies Needed

Click on the "Details" button to see the most up-to-date requirements for text and supplies.

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

N/A

Requirements for Successful Completion

80% attendance

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

This course is designed for students who have never taken a sign language class before. Some voicing will be used either through a sign language interpreter or a hearing instructor.