Some of the material in the syllabus will look very challenging, but all information will be presented in easy to understand language.
American Sign Language (ASL) is a unique, vibrant, and living language that is used by an estimated 2 million people who are d/Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing. It has its own grammar and syntax, apart from English. In fact, given that ASL owes its roots (for the most part) to French sign language (SLF), which was based on the spoken French language, the grammatical structure is very different than English and is more like the spoken French language. Learning ASL means learning, not only sign vocabulary, but a different way of thinking about how you structure language. Additionally, beyond the actual signs and their structure within a sentence, ASL relies on facial expressions (non-manual markers), body movements, non-signs (things like classifiers), and other aspects to effectively communicate.
Course Description
ASL I is an elementary course in American Sign Language (ASL) introducing students to the language and the culture of its users. ASL is more than just signed vocabulary, it is a unique and living language that depends on body movement and facial expression to change or enhance the meaning of the sign vocabulary. This course provides instruction in the basic vocabulary, non-manual components, and elementary conversations in ASL. Upon completion, students should be able to carry on a basic conversation in ASL, relaying and discussing concrete information. Of course, students will get out what they put in. The opportunity is present to go beyond this basic goal.
This class will require minimal grading from the parent/homeschool-educator. I will email parents the answer keys to the vocabulary videos as well as editing rights to a Google Drive gradesheet (unless you prefer to keep your own). Each unit will have a vocabulary quiz of 20-25 answers, so no problem there.
For those assignments/tests where the student signs a video, I will grade those myself and pass the grade along to the parent.
ASL I is an elementary course in American Sign Language (ASL) introducing students to the language and the culture of its users. ASL is more than just signed vocabulary, it is a unique and living language that depends on body movement and facial expression to change or enhance the meaning of the sign vocabulary. This course provides instruction in the basic vocabulary, non-manual components, and elementary conversations in ASL. Upon completion, students should be able to carry on a basic conversation in ASL, relaying and discussing concrete information. Of course, students will get out what they put in. The opportunity is present to go beyond this basic goal.
This class will require minimal grading from the parent/homeschool-educator. I will email parents the answer keys to the vocabulary videos as well as editing rights to a Google Drive gradesheet (unless you prefer to keep your own). Each unit will have a vocabulary quiz of 20-25 answers, so no problem there.
For those assignments/tests where the student signs a video, I will grade those myself and pass the grade along to the parent.
Course Methods
The course will be taught in 2-to-3 week units. Students will work at their own pace. Each unit will require students to:
* learn the unit vocabulary
* participate in student-student or student-instructor conversational practice via the private Facebook group. To ensure student/parent privacy, this group is set to private, so you must click this link and request to be added.
* submit a video of the student signing the unit vocabulary (early in the unit to check for production accuracy)
* practice sentences
* review all videos for the unit
* read all written material presented
* and finally, submit written answers upon viewing a video quiz, where I will sign vocabulary and short sentences. (These answers will be submitted to the parent.)
There will be exams given every 4 to 5 units which contain:
* a written component
* a video quiz (much like the unit quiz)
* an expressive quiz (the student will sign a brief introduction, or tell information, etc.
Cost:
$50 for the year (payable $25 per semester if you prefer)
Links to units of study will be emailed to students privately and are not available through the menu, so watch your email for details!
Contact: [email protected]
* learn the unit vocabulary
* participate in student-student or student-instructor conversational practice via the private Facebook group. To ensure student/parent privacy, this group is set to private, so you must click this link and request to be added.
* submit a video of the student signing the unit vocabulary (early in the unit to check for production accuracy)
* practice sentences
* review all videos for the unit
* read all written material presented
* and finally, submit written answers upon viewing a video quiz, where I will sign vocabulary and short sentences. (These answers will be submitted to the parent.)
There will be exams given every 4 to 5 units which contain:
* a written component
* a video quiz (much like the unit quiz)
* an expressive quiz (the student will sign a brief introduction, or tell information, etc.
Cost:
$50 for the year (payable $25 per semester if you prefer)
Links to units of study will be emailed to students privately and are not available through the menu, so watch your email for details!
Contact: [email protected]