American Sign Language Interpreting I Course Syllabus
Course Description: This exploratory class will introduce students to American Sign Language (ASL). Emphasis will be on
expressive and receptive sign language skills, vocabulary building and understanding basic ASL grammar and structure. Students will
gain an appreciation for American Sign Language as a legitimate language through the study of the History of American Sign
Language and the Deaf experience, the nature and causes of deafness and will also gain valuable exposure to the local deaf
community.
Instructional Philosophy: Respect and caring is the result when you seek a relationship. I adore my students and want to see each
of them, as special and different as they are, to become the adults they were destined to become. I will play only a small part in the
development of that, but I will never underestimate that small role as being a powerful responsibility.
Goal: To introduce you to the field of interpreting. Even if you do not pursue interpreting as a profession, you will gain essential
employability skills and gain knowledge of another culture and language.
Method: Classes will often be run in a “voices off” environment. You will be building new brain synapses, the more you use the
language, the faster the connections will form. * You must have a journal exclusive to this class to help you analyze and synthesize
your experiences in ASL class.
Notice: Performing on stage is mandatory for your grade. There will be two evening performances during the year; you must
participate in any performances you are a part of.
Course Goals:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate without voice.
Develop a basic understanding of deaf culture.
Demonstrates contextually correct vocabulary, fingerspelling and numbers.
Ability to recognize the use of non-manual markers.
Participate in various leadership opportunities.
Major Course Assignments and Projects:
Project #1: Introductions
Students will demonstrate cultural and linguistic understanding with regards to participating in the Deaf community.
Project #2: Introductions of others, describing people’s appearance, and asking yes/no questions
Students will demonstrate an expanded vocabulary, grammar, structure, equivalent meaning and cultural
appropriateness.
Project #3: Showcase group work
Students will prepare a large-group piece for the ASL Show. All students must attend night-time performance because:
leadership, professionalism and celebration are the key learning elements of this assignment; the collaboration of an
ensemble allows the opportunity for these lessons.
Project #4: Individual performance (developing an interpretation)
Students will shine in their knowledge by applying their skills of Glossing, Stylistic Choices (Depth and artistry), Content,
and Intent beyond their already mentioned skills.
Project #5: Leadership
Students will assess themselves and group members on roles taken during various activities throughout the year.
Students will attend class as they would a job. Students will receive a grade from their teacher once each semester
regarding their overall professional behavior.
Text & Materials: Textbook: Signing Naturally Units 1-6, Novel: Deaf Again, DVDs: Through Deaf Eyes, The Sound and
Fury, A Sign of Respect
Discipline: Refer to the student handbook for progressive discipline outline.
Assessments/evaluations:
100% Professionalism: Doing Your Best Work! Since a variety of instructional approaches will be used, it is extremely
important that the student attends class every day. Obviously, if the student is absent, he/she misses out on all material
covered in class, and loses the opportunity to participate. Class participation includes attendance, cooperation,
punctuality, participation in discussions and question/answer sessions, partner and group activities, courtesy toward the
teacher and fellow students, and attitude in class. Students must arrange to make-up: work or missed instruction during
teacher’s office hours.
100% Tests: All tests will be announced, and will usually be given once a week, or every two weeks. The tests will be of
three types: written, oral or performance. The student will be required to both sign, and read sign language on tests. Make
up tests will be given for excused absences only. Tests will be made up on an individual basis, and will need to be made
up before school, due to my work schedule traveling between two different schools.
100% Daily Work: Over the course of the year, the student will be assigned homework and activities. The student will be
required to participate in all such activities. In addition, there will be projects. Students must attend at least two functions
at the Washington School for the Deaf or another Deaf/signing event over the course of the year.
Grading Scale:
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
I
Percentage
90-100%
80-89 %
70-79%
60-69%
0-59%
Incomplete
Explanation
Exceeds expectations
Meets standards and expectations
Passing, but does not meet some standards
Passing, but only meets the minimum standards
Failing, does not meet minimum standards
Credits: ASL is a full year class, students can earn up to 1 credit. Credits can count as World Language or Occupational
Education
Keep top portion for your records; return this portion to Mrs. Claborn
American Sign Language Interpreting II Course Syllabus
Course Description: You have enrolled in a Careers in Technical Education (CTE) class. This is a preparatory class; the goal is set you in the role of interpreting in a simulated environment. Even if you do not pursue interpreting as a profession, you will gain
essential employability skills and gain knowledge of another culture and language. Students should be prepared to spend the majority of classroom time in silence to receive instruction primarily through the use of ASL.
Instructional Philosophy: Respect and caring is the result when you seek a relationship. I adore my students and want to see each of them, as special and different as they are, to become the adults they were destined to become. I will play only a small part in the
development of that, but I will never underestimate that small role as being a powerful responsibility.
Course Goals:
1. Will be able to demonstrate advanced skill in ASL grammar and structure
2. Will be able to demonstrate advanced skill in the expressive and receptive components of ASL
3. Will demonstrate advanced knowledge of Deaf culture and history
4. Participates as a member of a team, exercises leadership, exhibits professional behavior
5. Will exhibit emerging interpreting skills of dual processing and equivalent meaning
Major Course Assignments and Projects:
Project #1: Getting around
Students will demonstrate spatial awareness and real world orientation to communicate location of multiple places, and proximity and relation to each other.
Project #2: Voice interpreting
Students will demonstrate an expanded vocabulary, grammar, structure and equivalent meaning working from a YouTube video. They will analyze the text for their own best voice interpretation.
Project #3: Showcase group work
Students will prepare a large-group piece for the ASL Show. All students must attend night-time performance because leadership, professionalism and celebration are the key learning elements of this assignment; the collaboration of an
ensemble allows the opportunity for these lessons.
Project #4: Individual performance interpreting (a well developed interpretation)
Students will shine in their broadened knowledge by applying their skills of: Glossing, Stylistic Choices (Depth and artistry), Content, and Intent beyond their already mentioned skills.
Project #5: Leadership
The role of an interpreter demands a self starter in a highly visible occupation. Students will assess themselves and group members on roles taken during various working simulations and/or real interpreting situations throughout the year.
Students will attend class as they would a job. Students will receive a grade from their teacher once each semester regarding their overall professional behavior.
Text & Materials: Text: Signing Naturally II Units 7-12, Novel: A Loss For Words-LouAnn Walker, DVDs: Beyond Silence, Sound and the Fury 6 Years Later
Assessments/evaluations:
100% Professionalism: Doing Your Best Work! Since a variety of instructional approaches will be used, it is extremely important that the student attends class every day. Obviously, if the student is absent, he/she misses out on all material
covered in class, and loses the opportunity to participate. Class participation includes attendance, cooperation, punctuality, participation in discussions and question/answer sessions, partner and group activities, courtesy toward the teacher and
fellow students, and attitude in class. Students must arrange to make-up: work or missed instruction during teacher’s office hours.
100% Tests: All tests will be announced, and will usually be given once a week, or every two weeks. The tests will be of three types: written, oral or performance. The student will be required to both sign, and read sign language on tests. Make
up tests will be given for excused absences only. Tests will be made up on an individual basis, and will need to be made up before school, due to my work schedule traveling between two different schools.
100% Daily Work: Over the course of the year, the student will be assigned homework and activities. The student will be required to participate in all such activities. In addition, there will be projects. Students must attend at least two functions at
the Washington School for the Deaf or another Deaf/signing event over the course of the year.
Grading Scale:
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Percentage
90-100%
80-89 %
70-79%
60-69%
0-59%
Explanation
Exceeds expectations
Meets standards and expectations
Passing, but does not meet some standards
Passing, but only meets the minimum standards
Failing, does not meet minimum standards
Credits: ASL is a full year class, students can earn up to 1 credit. Credits can count as World Language or Occupational Education
If student agrees to the standards and expectations of this course and are committed to doing their best work while learning about ASL Interpreting,
please sign below:
X _________________________________________________________________ Awesome!
Mrs. Danna Claborn
Danna.claborn@vansd.org