ASL Conversation: Guided Topics

This 10-week online course in American Sign Language requires previous knowledge (preferably the completion of a beginner's level of study) in order to participate. If you have questions concerning whether or not your learner is ready for this course, please reach out and let me know where your student is at in their ASL journey.  

This class provides a place for intermediate level and above American Sign Language learners to continue their practice of the language in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

As these meetings will be in "voice-off" mode, learners must have, at the very least, a base knowledge of ASL vocabulary and signed sentence structure (ASL grammar and syntax). 

The 10-week course will include conversational signing from student to student as well as student to teacher and vice versa.  

Here is an example of what you can expect to see over the course of the 10 weeks:

Week One: During the first class meeting, students will spend some time signing about themselves and getting to know one another. After this we will brainstorm topics for upcoming weekly meetings of class (i.e. "travel," "cooking," "friends," "what they want to be when they grow up," etc.). No topic is off limits, but MUST be appropriate for class.  (The chosen topics for class will be listed and sent to all parents for approval before conversation on any topic begins - if there are changes to a topic, I will send the new topic to parents for approval prior to class).

Week Two: Topic: "Travel." Students are invited to ask (using ASL) how to sign any signs pertaining to that day's topic.

Week Three: Topic: "School." 

Week Four: Topic: "Friends and Family." 

Week Five: Topic: "Interests and Activities." 

Week Six: Topic: "Emotions and Dreams." 

Week Seven: Topic: "Future Goals/College." 

Week Eight: Topic: "Food." 

Week Nine: Topic: "Pets." 

Week Ten: Topic: "Memories and Life Events." 

These topics are all generic and open to change depending on the preferences of the class as a whole. If there are topics that students would like to sign about, I recommend making a list before the start of the course and suggesting them during the first week's class. I will submit all topics to parents for review before committing to them. If there are no suggestions for class topics from learners, I will choose the topics.