Satellite Sign Language Program

We custom tailor our classes to the needs and schedules of each company or organization.  We generally recommend that classes meet once a week for one and one-half or two hours.  A course could run for between 6 and 10 weeks.

The cost of the course is $55.00 per hour.  (So for example, a 10 week course, 2 hours a week, would be $1,100.)  We limit class size to 20 participants.  The cost remains the same if less than 20 people enroll.

We recommend that students purchase a text, Signing Naturally, Level One, in order to best follow the lessons.  The cost of these books ($45.00 per book) would be in addition to the fee quoted above.  You also have an option to buy other books ($10 - $45).  This can best be discussed with the teacher.

Classes can begin any month of the year, as long as a teacher can be found to teach the class.  You can arrange for morning, afternoon or evening courses.

The initial course (6-10 weeks) would provide your staff with an introductory taste of American Sign Language.  By the end of the course, students should be able to carry on a basic, "survival" conversation with deaf co-workers.  They would be no means be fluent in sign language.  Teachers are always willing to modify their lesson plans to your company's needs by adding additional vocabulary or phrases related to your work environment.  (See Course Overview below)

Almost all of our sign language teachers are deaf.  We prefer to use deaf teachers, since they provide class participants with a weekly taste of communicating with a deaf person.  The teacher will require a blackboard (or a newsprint/flip chart and marker) in order to teach the lessons and easily communicate with class members.

Introduction to American Sign Language - COURSE OVERVIEW

This satellite class will provide students with an introduction to American Sign Language.

The text book for this course will be Signing Naturally, Level One.  The course will cover the first four or five units in the book.  In addition to the standardized curriculum in the text, classroom activities and topics can be tailored to the students' interests and perceived communication needs.  Class time will be spent both on receptive skills (comprehension) and expressive practice (use of the language).  Time will also be set aside for discussion of Deaf Culture.

A sampling of the topics that may be covered include:

        The Manual Alphabet
        Numbers
        Question Words
        Days of the Week, Months, etc.
        Learning to Introduce Oneself
        Exchanging Personal Information
        Talking About One's Surroundings (Home and Office)
        Telling Where You Live
        Talking About Your Family
        Use of Gesture, Body Language and "Classifiers", to describe objects
            and actions
        Sign Language "Etiquette" (getting a person's attention, asking for
            repetition, etc.)
        Communicating with a Deaf Person who comes into the work environment
        Survival Phrases

For more information or to arrange a Satellite Sign Language Class at your location, please call (215) 754-4770.

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