IN THIS COURSE, you’ll learn to sign everyday sentences, questions, and dialogues in American Sign Language (ASL). First, we’ll explore differences between ASL and English sentences. Next, we’ll learn to sign each vocabulary word individually. Then, we’ll make sure you can sign the question and statement forms of each sentence. We’ll go even further and learn replacement vocabulary to create extra sentences and mini dialogues. Along the way, we’ll do lots of review to guarantee improvement of your signing and understanding skills.

*** This course is designed for complete beginners without any prior knowledge of ASL. Previous ASL skills are welcome but NOT required.

IN THIS COURSE:

• Students will learn thirty-six (36) signs in ASL: BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, BUY, CANADA, DISHWASHER, ENJOY, FOOTBALL, FRANCE, HE/SHE, HOCKEY, I, LAPTOP, LASAGNA, LIKE, LIVE, MAKE, MEXICO, MOUSETRAP, NEED, NO, PANCAKES, PLAY, PREPARE, SALAD, SUSHI, THAILAND, THEY, TRAVEL, USE, VACUUM, WANT, WATCH, WE, YES, YOU, YOU (plural)

• Students will use the target vocabulary signs to create complete statements, questions, and dialogues.

• Students will learn to correct facial expressions and head movements for “YES/NO” questions and affirmative/negative statements.

• Students will race a timer to help improve their proficiency as they sign vocabulary, sentences, and dialogues.

• Students will see English sentences translated into ASL using ASL grammar rules.

• Students will learn signs individually to ensure comprehension, correct hand shape, and hand position.

• Students will be tested on their ability to sign and recognize ALL material taught in the course.

AFTER TAKING THIS COURSE:

• Students will be able to sign and understand useful ASL vocabulary, statements, questions, and dialogues.

• Students will have learned to sign and understand thirty-six (36) vocabulary words.

• Students will have a strong understanding of how to communicate “YES/NO” questions.

• Students will feel more confident as they continue improving their ASL skills.

QUESTIONS:

What is the main focus of this course?

• This course focuses on learning to sign and understand everyday ASL vocabulary, statements, questions, and dialogues. Students will learn basic sentence structures and how to switch vocabulary around to create question and answer dialogues.

Do I need to have prior knowledge or experience with ASL before taking this class?

• No. This course is designed for complete beginners without any prior knowledge of ASL. All necessary signs are taught step by step in the course.

Will this course test me on what is taught?

• Yes. This course contains multiple review and testing sections where students have the opportunity to demonstrate their ASL signing and recognition skills.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:

• Hello! My name is Michael. When I was three years old, my younger brother became sick with spinal meningitis. In the process, my brother became deaf with an almost complete hearing loss. This difficult situation provided a unique opportunity for my family and I to become fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). Unlike some deaf children, my brother was not sent away to a deaf or hard of hearing school. He grew up with us, his hearing family, and we were active in the deaf community.

• As a police officer and federal investigator, I often used ASL to communicate with and interpret for witnesses, victims, and perpetrators. I decided to create ASL courses because it’s a useful and practical skill to have. Like learning any language, it opens your mind and creates the ability to communicate with a whole new group of people.