Flex Class: American Sign Language 101

Welcome to American Sign Language 101!

This class is an introductory course on American Sign Language, or ASL. Learners do not need to know ASL prior to attending this class. The class is designed for learners ages 11 to 14.

ASL classes are usually taught as a voice-off where the teacher only uses ASL to communicate and teach learners.  Videos will be added weekly on Monday mornings by Noon Eastern Daylight Time for learners to watch. Learners will watch the videos and copy the signs they are shown. In my class, I will be speaking as I teach the individual signs and phrases using PowerPoint with screen share showing written and visual representation of what we will be learning. Weekly videos may be uploaded as multiple videos, depending on the length and size of the videos.

Class 4 will be extra special as it will be voice-off/sign only instruction and include signs that the learners request to learn ahead of time. Those requests will need to be submitted through a private message or written on the class message board by the third Monday of class (Class 3).

Class 1
Introduction to ASL basics
Alphabet
Numbers 1-30 and Explanation of Hundred, Thousand, and Million
Animals (Pet and Wild)

Class 2
Basic phrases (Examples: I have...I want...I dislike...)
Basic questions (Examples: What is your name? How are you?)
Grammar in ASL (Note: ASL grammar is different from English grammar.)
Sentence practice (Note: Students will be given a sentence and time to think of how they would sign it. Then I will demonstrate how it would be signed.)

Class 3
Introduction to Deaf Culture
Food Signs
Colors
Family Signs (Examples: Family, Mom, Dad, Son, Brother, Grandparents, etc.)

Class 4
School Signs
Home/House Signs
Signs for Careers/Jobs
Requested Signs and Other Miscellaneous Signs