American Sign Language (ASL) Bootcamp! (Ages 13-18)
In this fast-paced class, students will learn the essentials of ASL communications and how to discuss multiple topics through sign while learning valuable information about the deaf community.
Charity
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(15)
What's included
1 live meeting
2 in-class hoursClass Experience
Did you know you can communicate with your hands? In this class we will go over the basics of communicating in American Sign Language (ASL). We will cover multiple topics in a short period of time. Our topics will include: ASL parameters, greeting and introduction signs, fingerspelling, number signs, food signs, color signs, feeling signs (such as happy and sad), deaf culture and history. Be prepared to learn a lot about not just deaf communication, but also the different existing views of ASL as it pertains to various communities. We'll also play a game or two to break up the monotony and keep you on your toes. Five-minute break times will be included every half hour so that students can rest their growing minds. Note taking is highly encouraged and referring to notes during gametime will not be viewed as cheating, so don't be afraid to create a little cheat sheet to gain an advantage. Towards the end of the session, we'll have a time for reflections, and everyone can share what they've learned. While the class is targeted towards beginners, students who have taken a beginner ASL class in the past and are looking to refresh their memory will also benefit from this class.
Learning Goals
Students will learn the basics of American Sign Language and its surrounding culture found in the deaf community.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
We will go over deaf history and the various aspects of oppression that the deaf community faced in the midst of unsympathetic hearing individuals. These include the severities of speech training, deaf flights conducted by Charles Lindbergh, and religious practices thought to cure deafness. The Deaf President Now movement will be touched on as will the racial differences and disparities that exist in the deaf community. There are many differing views on values and practices in the deaf community, so we will look at deafness from a variety of different angles. I will give examples of commonly misconceptions held my hearers according to those in the deaf community but will be sure to indicate that even within their community, not everyone thinks the same. I'll touch on the differences between American Sign Language and Black American Sign Language (BASL) and the historical context that plays a large role in the differences. Racial differences in terms of Black and White roles as deaf individuals will be touched on as well as a reference to an act of police brutality concerning a Deaf Black man. There are also many other cultures within the deaf community and ASL is not the only accepted mode of communication. Hand Talk (an Indigenous Sign Language) will be briefly mentioned to show the differing views on American Sign Language's origins. I'll include personal examples and instances in which I communicated with members of the deaf community who were both welcoming to learners and forgiving of mistakes and those who were a little less giving. Students are encouraged to make connections to their own previous knowledge, but propriety will be enforced within the classroom. I will encourage students to ask and refer to their parents/guardians concerning any sensitive or potentially emotional questions and kindly refrain from answering them, but instead redirect the conversation. Any persistence in a topic that has the potential to be uncomfortable for other students will be dealt with through a kind, but firm warning and failure to cooperate will result in the removal of the offending student.
Supply List
A pencil and notebook if learners are interested in taking notes for school purposes, but NOT REQUIRED.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
We'll watch a brief history video on the origins of ASL. The following video link will be shown in class.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=betAZeKRpR8&t=36s
Below are video and literary sources that will be referenced, but not shown when talking about deaf vs. hearing and racial issues in the deaf community. We will not go into great depth about complexities of these topics, but parents/guardians are encouraged to view these materials before class to get an idea of what severe practices that I will mention in class entailed. Lifeprint is a well-known and respected resource for learning ASL as its founder is a deaf individual with a Doctorate in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education. The documentary, "Through Deaf Eyes" was created by a well-known Deaf University and gives great insight into the challenges faced by the deaf community and is the source that I will reference the most.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMr831Ro2-k&t=131s - Only the aspects that pertain to ASL will be mentioned from this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL5d8kyZUQk&pp=ygURdGhyb3VnaCBkZWFmIGV5ZXM%3D
https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/topics/can-you-speak.htm
https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/topics/alexander-graham-bell.htm
https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/coda.htm
https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/topics/black-asl.htm
https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/terminology2.htm
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Drexel University
Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Community College of Philadelphia
I was introduced to American Sign Language (ASL) from age two and have continued to grow in my signing skills ever since then through a Community College ASL class, Dr. Bill Vicars Online University, and attending Deaf events and meetups. I have been teaching beginner's ASL for three years to 6–12-year-olds at a homeschool coop.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$30
per classMeets once
120 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
5-12 learners per class
