Course Plan: Introduction to American Sign Language (ASL)
Course Description
This course provides an introductory overview of American Sign Language (ASL) with a focus on basic vocabulary, grammar, and cultural contexts. Students will learn to communicate using ASL while exploring the Deaf community's culture and customs. The course is designed for beginners and aims to equip students with the fundamental skills necessary for effective communication in ASL.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate basic sign vocabulary and fingerspelling.
- Understand the grammatical structure unique to ASL.
- Participate in simple conversations in ASL.
- Recognize and describe cultural aspects of the Deaf community.
Lesson Plan Overview
Lesson 1: Introduction to American Sign Language
Duration: 1 hour
Objectives:
- Understand the history and significance of ASL.
- Learn the basics of finger spelling and basic sign vocabulary.
Activities:
- Discussion on the importance of ASL in the Deaf community.
- Introduction to the ASL alphabet and fingerspelling practice.
- Basic vocabulary signs: "Hello," "Thank you," "Please," "Goodbye."
Assignments:
- Practice fingerspelling your name and the names of family members.
Lesson 2: Basic Greetings and Introductions
Duration: 1 hour
Objectives:
- Use basic greetings and introduce oneself in ASL.
- Practice daily conversation starters.
Activities:
- Review vocabulary from Lesson 1.
- Practice greetings with peers in pairs.
- Role-play introductions in small groups.
Assignments:
- Record a short video introducing yourself in ASL.
Lesson 3: Numbers and Counting in ASL
Duration: 1 hour
Objectives:
- Learn to count from 1 to 100 in ASL.
- Understand the context of using numbers in conversations.
Activities:
- Classroom demonstrations of counting and number signs.
- practice games incorporating number recognition and counting.
- Pair work to practice asking and answering age-related questions.
Assignments:
- Create a numbered list of five significant places/things in your life and describe them in ASL during the next class.
Lesson 4: Family and Relationships
Duration: 1 hour
Objectives:
- Learn signs related to family and relationships.
- Describe family members and relationships in ASL.
Activities:
- Introduce vocabulary on family: "mother," "father," "sister," "brother," etc.
- Family tree activity, where students will sign their family relationships.
- Sharing personal stories about family in pairs.
Assignments:
- Prepare a short presentation to share your family tree in ASL.
Lesson 5: Simple Conversations and Cultural Insights
Duration: 1 hour
Objectives:
- Engage in simple conversations using learned vocabulary and grammar.
- Gain insights into Deaf culture and etiquette.
Activities:
- Role-playing various scenarios for practicing conversations.
- Discussion on Deaf culture, norms, and the significance of ASL.
- Interactive Q&A session about experiences in the Deaf community.
Assignments:
- Reflective essay on what you learned about ASL and the Deaf community.
Evaluation Criteria
Students will be assessed based on:
- Participation in class activities (30%)
- Completion of video assignments (30%)
- Family presentation (20%)
- Reflective essay (20%)
Resources
- "Signing Naturally: Student Workbook" by Elisabeth Z. Winston & Karen L. Brewster
- Online ASL dictionaries and video resources for additional practice.
- Local Deaf community events for immersive learning opportunities.
This course plan aims to create a welcoming and informative learning environment for all students interested in learning American Sign Language and understanding the Deaf community.