While you can learn sign language from books and videos, classes provide the human interaction and reinforcement needed to build your confidence. The goal of this program is to give each person the ability to communicate on a basic level with the deaf and the hard of hearing. The lessons are independent of one another, yet part of a “Bigger Picture.” Our lessons are theme-based on topics that we feel are needed in everyday life. There are also lessons for special occasions, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Our lessons are designed to be about an hour long. The typical formula for each one hour lesson is:

• review vocabulary from the previous lesson
• teach new vocabulary
• do an activity for the new vocabulary
• do expressive lesson practice
• and finish up with an activity or game

We also learn to sign the Pledge of Allegiance. As the students become more proficient, we begin learning to sign to songs of the students choice.

Each student is given a copy of the lesson to take home with them. There also may be fun worksheets included as choice homework.

Resources

American Sign Language: Alphabet and Numbers (Wikipedia)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders