American Sign Language (ASL) 1-2 is for students with no prior or minimal skills and knowledge of ASL. It includes the study of the history, structure, and grammar of ASL. In addition, students will learn of the historical and cultural contexts of the Deaf community. ASL is a visual, spatial, gestural language that utilizes space and movement to convey meaning. You will develop communication skills of which you are not accustomed to using hands, face, body, eyes, and space. In order to progress, it is important that you “listen” with your eyes. To encourage and foster the development of ASL, spoken language (talking) is not used during the majority of the class.

American Sign Language (ASL) 3-4 is an intermediate course designed to build on what students learned in ASL 1-2. Students have the opportunity to communicate in a wider array of situations, to further develop their language fluency, and to advance their level of comprehension of American Sign Language in culturally appropriate ways. To encourage and foster the development of ASL, spoken language (talking) is not used during class.

American Sign Language (ASL) 5-6 is an intermediate course which continues to elaborate on the language students have learned in ASL 1-2 and 3-4. Students will build a greater understanding of vocabulary, ASL grammatical structure, expressive and receptive communication, and of Deaf culture and history. To further advance and develop communicative competence, this course is taught primarily in ASL. Students are expected to use only American Sign Language.