IN THIS COURSE, we’re going to use quizzes as a foundation for learning how to sign and understand practical vocabulary, statements, and questions in ASL. First, we’ll go over some basics including the ABCs and fingerspelling skills. After that, each section starts with a multiple choice quiz. The instructor will sign something and you try to choose the correct answer. Don’t worry if you have to guess. The instructor will teach you how to sign each answer in a separate lesson immediately after the quiz. Along the way, you’ll fingerspell names, learn pronouns, absorb vocabulary, and sign complete statements and questions. Of course, there will be LOTS of review which will test your signing and understanding skills.

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

IN THIS COURSE:

• Students will use multiple choice quizzes as a foundation for learning vocabulary, sentences, and questions.

• Students will learn to sign the following vocabulary: ACTOR, BACKPACK, BANISH, BAWL, BECOME, BEDROOM, BELIEVE, BOOTS, BOTTLE, BURP, CALL, CAN, CASH, CHEAT, CLOSE-MINDED, COAT, COUSIN, DEPRESSED, DIAPER, DONE, DRY, EARLY, EMAIL, FAMILY, FART, FEEL, FRIENDLY, GARAGE, HEALTHY, HEAVY, HIDE, HOPE, KNIFE, LATE, LENIENT, LOOK-FOR, LOSE, NERVOUS, OVERTHINK, PARK, PLUMBER, PURCHASE, PUZZLED, REPORTER, SAILBOAT, SHOCKED, SISTER, STEAL, STILL, TAKE, TEXT, TRY, UNDERSTANDING, UPSET, USE, WEAK, WEIRD, WELCOME, WET-WIPES, WILL, WIN, WISH, WITHDRAW, WORK

• Students will have hands-on practice and review fingerspelling names within complete sentences.

• Students will learn to correctly sign YES/NO questions in ASL including facial expressions and head movements.

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

• Students will undergo multiple review and testing sections to guarantee their improving ability to sign and understand the material taught in the course.

AFTER TAKING THIS COURSE:

• Students will be able to sign all vocabulary and phrases taught in this course.

• Students will be able to understand and recognize all material taught in this course.

• Students will feel more confident signing complete statements and questions in ASL.

• Students will be able to successfully interact with the Deaf community in more diverse situations.

QUESTIONS:

What is the main focus of this course?

• This course focuses on using multiple choice quizzes as a foundation for learning to sign and understand useful vocabulary, statements, and questions in American Sign Language.

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

• No. This course is designed to include 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). 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.