AMERICAN SIGN
LANGUAGE
At Lake Travis High School
•Lois Witherspoon Wright
ASL 1 COURSE DESCRIPTION
• American Sign Language 1 (ASL 1)
introduces students to the language and
culture of deaf people in the United States.
The course will focus on specific language
and cultural behaviors, as well as
introduce students to the grammar of ASL.
Both expressive and receptive skills of
students will be the focus of the course,
with a major emphasis placed on receptive
skills. Students will participate
extensively in interactive classroom
activities using the “Voices Off” Policy to
ensure ASL immersion.
ASL 2 COURSE DESCRIPTION
• American Sign Language 2 (ASL 2) furthers
student knowledge and experience of the
language and culture of deaf people in the
United States. The course will focus on
specific language and cultural behaviors,
as well as ASL grammar. Both expressive
and receptive skills of students will be
practiced, with additional emphasis placed
on students’ expressive skills as the year
progresses. Students will continue to
participate in extensive interactive
classroom activities to ensure immersion
in ASL. Both students and instructor will
use the “Voices-Off” Policy for more
extended periods of time.
ASL 3 COURSE DESCRIPTION
• American Sign Language 3 (ASL 3) furthers
student knowledge and experience of the
language and culture of deaf people in the
United States. Students will become more
fluent in ASL and will develop greater insight
into the deaf culture through the context of
ASL literature. Students will participate in
discussions regarding the narratives they
study and the material they read. These
discussions will be conducted in American
Sign Language, as will all course material.
Students will further advance receptive and
expressive skills as additional ASL grammar
and vocabulary are introduced. While
developing these communication skills,
students will simultaneously mature in their
understanding of the deaf experience.
ASL TEXTBOOKS
ASL 1 and ASL 2
• Signing Naturally Level 1
http://www.dawnsign.com/shopping/Detail.cfm?ProductID=122
• For Hearing People Only
http://www.forhearingpeopleonly.com
ASL 3
• Signing Naturally Level 2
http://www.dawnsign.com/shopping/Detail.cfm?ProductID=124
• Bird of a Different Feather & For a Decent Living
http://www.dawnsign.com/shopping/Detail.cfm?ProductID=43
• Journey into a Deaf World
http://www.dawnsign.com/shopping/Detail.cfm?ProductID=47
• Train Go Sorry
http://www.randomhouse.com/vintage/catalog/display.pperl?isbn
=9780679761655
TEACHER EXPECTATIONS
The learning of a foreign language requires
much commitment on the part of each
student. Daily attendance should be
considered mandatory, as this classroom
interaction is vital for comprehension and
expression in ASL.
Other expectations include:
• Class participation
• Homework and study habits
• Use of language outside of class
Class Participation
Each student will be expected to participate fully in
all class activities. Since there are no spoken or
written components in ASL, this daily interaction is
essential in learning this unique language. The
“Voices Off” Policy must be adhered to at all times.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES
“Voices-Off” Policy
The American Sign Language (ASL) program at Lake Travis High School has adopted a
“Voices-Off” Policy for all ASL classes. It is important for students to be immersed in
a learning environment in which only ASL is used in the classroom. This will facilitate
students’ fluency in the language.
This policy means that the majority of class time will be conducted in ASL and that all
students will be expected to communicate in ASL during those designated times.
Particularly in beginning sign classes, true ASL communication will be minimal and
can be frustrating. However, each student is expected to adhere to the “Voices-Off”
Policy and communicate using gesture, mime, pen/pencil, etc. All of these non-verbal
communication strategies will only benefit the students in learning to express
themselves in ASL and in becoming more familiar with deaf culture.
Homework and study habits
Having no spoken or written component in ASL makes
it difficult to have written homework assignments.
However, for each class period, the student will be
expected to review vocabulary and grammar a
minimum of 20-30 minutes. Ideally, this is done
with a partner or “study buddy”, but signing in front
of a mirror can be used as a last resort. This
practice should include receptive and expressive
fingerspelling, vocabulary and grammar. The class
“daily warm-ups” are an excellent source of
vocabulary signs and sentences which can be used
for review and practice.
Use of Language
Outside of Class
Each ASL student is required to complete several
INTERACTION PROJECTS during the year. A deaf event
must be attended outside of class and a written report is
submitted as a major grade. This allows the student not
only to practice expressive and receptive ASL skills, but,
also, to observe deaf culture first-hand.
ASL 1 students have 2 interactions-1 for the fall and 1 for
the spring semester.
ASL 2 students have 3 interactions-1 for the fall and 2 for
the spring semester.
ASL 3 students have 4 interactions-2 for the fall and 2 for
the spring semester.
The following link to Deaf Events has a monthly list of activities in and around the Austin
area. Click and subscribe to have an email newsletter sent each month.
http://www.deafevents.info/
HELPFUL HINTS FOR
SUCCESS IN ASL
•
Choose a “study buddy” – arrange to interact with
another ASL student 2-3 times per week.
Conversations from the textbook, as well as daily
warm-ups from class can be used.
•
Review vocabulary, fingerspelling & numbers on a
daily basis – 20-30 minutes per class period with
flash cards should be adequate.
•
Follow the “Voices-Off” Policy – all students must be
willing to refrain from using their voice during
specified times during class. This encourages
students to find alternative methods of
communication.
•
Use non-manual behaviors – these head tilts, eye
gazes & facial expressions are grammatical markers
in ASL. They must be incorporated in all students
expressive skills.
•
Attend deaf events often – interaction with members
of the deaf community is crucial in the
comprehension of ASL. Consistent exposure to a
variety of signing styles will benefit all students in
receptive and expressive skills.
HELPFUL ASL WEBSITES
• http://www.asl.ms/
• http://www.lifeprint.com/
• http://www.lessontutor.c
om/eesASLdictionarylin
ks.html
• http://www.masterstechhome.com/ASLDict.html
•
http://www.interpreting.e
ku.edu/library/LA.php
• http://www.42explore.c
om/signlang.htm
• http://www.angelfire.co
m/ia/andycat/ASLWEB/A
SLWEB.html
• http://www.jal.cc.il.us/i
pp/Classifiers/
FAQ’s about ASL
Is ASL just signing each English word?
No! American Sign Language is NOT signed English. By definition, a foreign language
must have its’ own unique syntax and grammar. Signed English follows English word
order and is therefore a method of communication, not a foreign language.
Additionally, ASL uses non-manual features and classifiers as a part of the
grammatical structure.
Is ASL accepted as a foreign language at all universities/colleges?
While some universities and colleges may not recognize ASL as a foreign language, the
list continues to grow. And though the universities, themselves, may not offer
additional courses in ASL, they generally recognize any accredited high school
graduation program with foreign language credits in ASL.
Is ASL really a beneficial language to learn?
Most people are unaware that depending upon the area, ASL is generally recognized
as the 3rd or 4th most used language in the United States. And, not surprisingly, larger
metropolitan areas with Schools for the Deaf have large deaf communities. Austin, for
example, has a heavy concentration of deaf people due to the location of the Texas
School for the Deaf.
Is ASL a universal language?
No, ASL is American Sign Language and is used by 500,000-1,000,000 people in the
United States and Canada. There are hundreds of sign languages around the world,
including French Sign Language, Japanese Sign Language, British Sign Language and
Russian Sign Language, all of which have their own unique vocabulary, syntax and
grammar.
What is an ASL interpreter?
An ASL interpreter is a certified individual who translates English into American Sign
Language for a deaf client and voice interprets English for the hearing person.
Certified Interpreters for the Deaf can earn between $40-$60 per hour, depending on
their certification level. Many Interpreter Training Programs (TIP’s) are offered at
colleges and universities around the U.S., including an excellent 2 year program at
Austin Community College.
GOT QUESTIONS?????
Email Lois Wright
wrightl@ltisdschools.org