American Sign Language Education
This program includes a five-course sequence focusing on communication with Deaf individuals. Using the Vista Signing Naturally Curriculum, you will learn to improve your receptive and expressive ASL and fingerspelling skills. You will also acquire sign vocabulary, learn about Deaf Culture, and practice ASL grammar, including structure development and related facial/gestural expressions and conversational behaviors. In addition, you will have access to a state-of-the-art ASL Language Lab.
You will also have an opportunity to enhance your skills in four different ASL workshops; continue your learning in Intensive Study in ASL Levels II - IV; progress into a pre-interpreting program by taking Advanced ASL Levels I and II; and ultimately enroll in a two-year ASL/English Interpretation Program at LaGuardia. Visit ace.laguardia.edu/asl for more information.If you have started your sign language education elsewhere, you will be screened for appropriate level placement. Please make an appointment with
For registration information, visit the How to Register page. To find out about the start and end dates of these quarterly classes, download our brochure. Please note that all course information is subject to change.
Program includes:
Introduction to American Sign Language
ASL Level 1: Vista Signing Naturally, Units # 1-3
ASL Level 2: Vista Signing Naturally, Units # 4-6
ASL Level 3: Vista Signing Naturally, Units # 7-9
ASL Level 4: Vista Signing Naturally, Units # 10-12
ASL Level 5: Vista Signing Naturally, Units # 13-15
Interested in learning American Sign Language? Come to the free introductory session and learn how to become a fluent communicator or how to make a career from your skills as a signer. It includes a look at the state-of-the-art ASL Language Lab! No need to register.
American Sign Language, Levels 1- 5, Saturday Section
Classes meet on Saturdays during fall, winter and spring quarters; on Mondays and Wednesdays during summer quarter only
American Sign Language, Levels 1 & 2 only, Wednesday Section
ASL Levels 1 and 2 classes only meet on Wednesdays during fall, winter and spring quarters
ASL Workshops
Theatrical ASl Workshop: Three-Part Series
Session I: America Sign Language Story Telling Workshop
Advanced America Sign Language students will incoporate own knowledge and usage of Facial Expression, Classifiers, and Hand Shapes into various narative forms of storytelling: narratives in the first, second and third person. The workshop will focus on dialogue, body shifting in context clarification, and cover a range of serious to coomedic topics using simple to complex stroytelling. Learn how to tailor a story to the audience's listening' comprehension level.
Session II: Analysis and ASL Translation of Scripts Workshop
Be introduced to the process of translating scripts from written English to ASL focusing exclusively on creating the best translation for scenes equally in the ESL and English. You will have the access to the state-of-the-art ASl language Laboratory for recording, viewing, adn discussing your own interpretation.
Session III: Rehearsals with the stars!!-Theatritical Interpreting Workshop
Emerging ASL/English interpreters will be taught how to interpret theatre rehearsals efficiently when a deaf actor is working with non signing colleagues. Learn how to empower yourself through your consumer to better facilitate communication between all parties. Basic theatre terminology in ASL will be taught. This workshop will include use of our ASL Language Lab for recording , viewing and discussing your own interpretation.
Required textbook and videotape for all ASL Levels 1-2 classes- VISTA: Signing Naturally Units 1-6 Student DVD and Workbook by Smith-Lentz-Mikos. They can be purchased at this link: DawnSignPress
(http://www.dawnsignpress.com/shopping/Detail.cfm?ProductID=211) or the College's Barnes & Nobles stores.
Required textbook and videotape for all ASL Levels 3-4 classes- VISTA: Signing Naturally Units 7-12 Student DVD and Workbook by Smith-Lentz-Mikos. They can be purchased at this link: DawnSignPress
(http://www.dawnsignpress.com/shopping/Detail.cfm?ProductID=211) or the College's Barnes & Nobles stores.
Required textbook and videotape for the ASL Level 5 class only-
VISTA: Signing Naturally Level 2 Student Videotext & Workbook by Smith-Lentz-Mikos. They can be purchased at this link: DawnSignPress or the College's Barnes & Nobles stores[Top]
Recomended Materials:
1. Random House Webster's ASL Dictionary by E. Costello, L. I. Tom and P. M. Setzer
2. "The Complete Idiot's to Conversational Sign Language" by C. Lazorisal and D. DonohueYou will have access to the state-of-the-art ASL Language Lab as part of the your classroom activities. You are expected to bring your own blank videotapes or DVDs.
Intensive Study in American Sign Language
This program’s three courses, including in-class and lab components, are offered jointly with the college’s Division of Human Services. These courses are designed for you if you wish to make rapid progress in developing ASL skills and to expand your multicultural sign vocabulary, but do not wish to earn academic credit. You will have access to LaGuardia’s state-of-the-art ASL Language Lab. Classes cost $320.00 not including a $15.00 registration fee.
All continuing education students are required to be assessed through an intensive screening (fee is $50, which is nonrefundable and must be paid in advance). Contact Roxann: (866) 553-3609 or RRichards@lagcc.cuny.edu for an ASL screening appointment.
Note: If you wish to earn academic credit for these courses, you must be admitted to the college for the fall or spring semester and are not required to be intensively screened. For more information, please contact Jack Gantzer, Chairperson of Education and Language Acquisition Department Room E200, at (718) 482-5640 or JGantzer@lagcc.cuny.edu or visit