American Sign Language

Unit 1: Introduction to ASL and its History

• Introduction

• Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• What is ASL?

• Learning ASL Connected with Deaf Culture

• Differences in Signed Systems

• Signed Vocabulary and Phrases

Unit 2: Beginning Grammar

• Introduction

• Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• Introduction to ASL grammar

• Using pronouns in ASL

• Pluralization, Possession, Directionality, Affirmation, and Negation

• More Numbers and Grammar

• Signed Vocabulary and Phrases

Unit 3: Everyday Expressions

• Introduction

• Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• Using Facial Expressions, Numbers, and Variations in Signs

• Parts of “Speech” in ASL

• Word Endings in Sign and Basic Syntax

• Signed Vocabulary and Phrases

Unit 4: Home and Family

• Introduction

• Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• Iconic Signs

• Classifiers, Negation, and More Numbers

• Simple Storytelling and Fingerspelling Flow

Unit 5: Your Community

• Introduction

• Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• Using Eye Gaze and Noun-Verb Pairs

• Using Agreement Verbs and Numbers 31-100

• ASL Vocabulary

Unit 6: Time Concepts and Colors

• Introduction

• Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• Signs for telling time in ASL, and Colors

• Classifiers for Size and Shape

• Topicalizing with ASL Grammar

• Numbers, Signed Phrases and Story

Unit 7: Food and Conversation

• Introduction

• Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• ASL Conversations and Communication

• Expressing Clear Signed Communication

• Syntax and Grammar in ASL

• Signing Large Numbers and Recognizing Signed Communication

Unit 8: Deaf Culture and Development of ASL

• Introduction

• Prominent Figures in the History of ASL

• The H Classifier

• Signing the Story of Gallaudet and Clerc

Unit 1: Around the House

• Introduction

• Unit 1 Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• Things Around the House

• Code-Switching and Contact Sign Language

• Numerical Incorporation

• Deaf Biography

Unit 2: Animal Signs

• Introduction

• Unit 2 Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• Animals

• Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers

• Fingerspelled Loan Signs and Lexicalized Fingerspelling

• Deaf Biography

Unit 3: Resources and Devices Available for Deaf

• Introduction

• Unit 3 Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• Everyday Vocabulary

• Sentence Types

• Resources and Devices for the Deaf

• Silent Memoirs - Life Stories from the Deaf

Unit 4: Days, Weeks, and Months

• Introduction

• Unit 4 Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• Time

• Name Signs

• Modifying Calendar Signs and Numerical Incorporation

• Deaf Biography

Unit 5: Interpreting for the Deaf

• Introduction

• Unit 5 Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• Education and Resources for the Deaf

• How to Become an Interpreter

• Closed Captioning and the Law

• Residential Schools for the Deaf

Unit 6: The Four Seasons

• Introduction

• Unit 6 Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• Weather and Seasons

• Regularity and Habituality

• Describing People in ASL

• Deaf Biography

Unit 7: Family and Community

• Introduction

• Unit 7 Vocabulary and Key Concepts

• Family and Community

• Using “TALK-WITH” and its Variations

• Handshape Classifiers - 1, 3, and 4

• Handshape Classifiers - B and C-Claw

Unit 8: Cultural Variations in Sign

• Introduction

• Regional and Situational Variations in Signs

• Analyzing your Signing Skills

• Meeting the Deaf