Beginner ASL: Circle of Friends

ASL is a complete language, which means that you can communicate just about anything through signing. Those who are deaf and hard of hearing, as well as people with functional hearing, use ASL to converse in a rich and expressive way.

Are you ready to start signing? In this class, you’ll begin building a solid foundation of proper ASL grammar, useful vocabulary, and conversation skills. We’ll also cover fingerspelling, facial expressions, and body language - each will be key to your growth as a beginner to ASL.

The ASL Alphabet Mastering the ASL alphabet is crucial to your success as a communicator. Why? You’ll need to be very familiar with the alphabet so you can fingerspell names, proper nouns, and things like movie titles or brand names.

There are 26 individual signs in the ASL alphabet. Your instructor will show you how to form each sign, and how to use letter hand shapes for common words and in finger spelling. Get ready to be challenged and grow quickly in an interactive and supportive environment!

Basic ASL Vocabulary Once you have a solid understanding of the basics, you’ll be able to move on to some essential ASL vocabulary and phrases. You’ll start with greetings, introductions, and a few more “survival signs” - signs that you absolutely need to get through a conversation. Students will have the opportunity to
Practice how to share about friends, family, and activities.

*you can drop into class at any time and learn practice the vocabulary for the current week without the need to know all the vocabulary covered in previous weeks. 

**The alphabet will be introduced/ practiced in some form every week. 

May 4th ASL alphabet, how to introduce ourselves

May 11th Colors, numbers 0-20,  family & people signs

May 18th family signs

May 25th Food

June 1st Animals

June 8th Question words

June 15th School signs