Introductory ASL: American Sign Language for Beginners
In this 16-week beginner's course, students will learn fingerspelling, numbers, sign vocabulary, basic conversation, and cultural information related to the Deaf Community.
Julayne Farmer
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(257)
What's included
16 live meetings
14 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursLetter Grade
Grades can be given upon request. This class is and has always been Pass/Fail, however I understand a parent's need for grades and I do keep track of each individual student's work and progress. Grades are largely based on class participation, attendance and performance on the final test.Certificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
In this 16-week ASL course, your student will be introduced to American Sign Language. Students will learn the basics of sign language, including the manual ASL alphabet and how to sign numbers. Students will also learn vocabulary and common signs (incl, but not limited to colors, emotions, seasons and holidays, family members, animals, weather and time, etc). Students will also be introduced to basic ASL sentence structure, though grammar and syntax are more thoroughly investigated during the Intermediate ASL 2 course (which is the follow-up course to this one). Each class will consist of mirror-signing along with the teacher and at least one class exercise pertaining to the information studied that day. Some classes will involve drills which will test and improve the students signing skills (i.e. the fingerspelling class and game days). Every third class (every three weeks) will be a game day in class. This is meant to break up the possible monotony of lesson days and also to help support what has been learned in class the previous few weeks. At the end of the sixteen weeks, there will be a comprehensive skills test for learners so that they may validate, for themselves, what they have learned over the course of the previous fifteen weeks. Here is an example of what students can expect to learn/do each week: Week 1: ASL Manual Alphabet Week 2: Introduction to Fingerspelling Week 3: Game Day: Spell That! Week 4: Introduction to Numbers and signing about Age Week 5: Numbers into the Millions, Pronouns & Colors Week 6: Game Day: Number Codes Week 7: Greetings, Emotions & Farewells Week 8: WH-Face, WH-Signs (question words), new Sign Vocabulary Week 9: Game Day: ASL Bingo Week 10: Family Signs & Gender Distinction (the visual distinction of male vs. female signs as they pertain to sign language) Week 11: Animal Signs Week 12: Game Day: Alphabet Round Robin Week 13: Time Signs: Days of the Week, Months, Seasons of the Year Week 14: Holidays, Weather and Temperature Signs Week 15: Game Day: Two Truths and One Lie Week 16: Final!
Learning Goals
Learning outcomes will include the following:
Demonstrate the use of basic ASL vocabulary and non-manual signals, form very basic sentences and questions, and understand a bit more about Deaf culture and the Deaf community.
Syllabus
16 Lessons
over 16 WeeksLesson 1:
ABC's and The Five Parameters of Sign Language
We will learn to sign the manual ASL alphabet as well as looking at the five most important parts to every sign. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Fingerspelling
We will learn what fingerspelling is, as well as how and when to use it. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Game Day: "Fingerspell It!"
During the course of the game, a word will be sent, privately through the chatbox, to each student. The student will then need to fingerspell that word for the rest of the class. The other students in class will then try to "read" and identify the word that has been fingerspelled. The sign(s) for the word(s) will be taught after they have been fingerspelled. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Simple Sentence Structure, Greetings & Farewells
We will learn the most basic form of sentence structure in ASL as well as learn some common greetings and farewells. 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Please be advised that pronouns and gender distinction are discussed during weeks 5 (personal & possessive pronouns) and 8 (family signs). Pronouns are a part of speech (I, you, he, she, them, we, yours, mine, ours) and these signs must be taught for fluency. In ASL, gender distinction is visual and dictated by the location of a sign. This is also a part of sign lagnuage that must be taught if a student wishes to learn to sign and read signs correctly.
I understand that, for some, these may be sensitive topics, depending on beliefs and ideals. Please understand that I am not talking about how an individual identifies, but rather, discussing the signs for the pronouns "I" "she" "he," etc.
That being said, my ASL courses are inclusive of all individuals. I expect my students to give one another the utmost respect during class and refer to each other using the pronoun(s) with which each student identifies.
Supply List
Handouts will be provided for students throughout the duration of the course.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2020
4.9
257reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I grew up with a Deaf family member. I learned the basics of American Sign Language at a very young age and found it incredibly helpful as I moved through childhood and into adulthood. I could communicate with other children who were clearly frustrated that no one either could or was willing to take the time and make the effort to interact with them. As an adult, I studied American Sign Language in college so that I could better communicate with the many Deaf and hearing impaired members of my community. Reviews
Live Group Course
$18
weekly or $288 for 16 classes1x per week, 16 weeks
55 min
Completed by 483 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
6-12 learners per class
