Workforce Training

American Sign Language

American Sign Language (ASL) is the third-most-used language in the U.S. It also is one of the most-studied languages in American universities. Learning ASL opens doors of opportunity for careers in interpretation services, makes communication possible with those in the deaf community and extends the reach of client services in health care, legal services and education.

ASL classes at Wake Tech are taught by both hearing and deaf instructors and make use of a video-based curriculum.

American Sign Language

Looking for a private class for your group? We can tailor our courses to meet the unique needs of your business, church, civic or social group.

For more information, email [email protected].

American Sign Language Courses

American Sign Language 1

Welcome to the exciting world of American Sign Language (ASL)! In this Level 1 course, you'll embark on a journey to communicate with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community in their native language. Get ready to learn the basics of ASL grammar, hand shapes, facial expressions, and body language. You'll learn how to introduce yourself, ask questions, and hold basic conversations. With the help of our dynamic and engaging instructors, you'll have the opportunity to practice signing in real-life scenarios and gain the confidence to use ASL in your daily life. Whether you're seeking to better connect with a loved one who is Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing, hoping to incorporate ASL into your employment skills, or simply interested in learning a new language, this course will help you get started on the path to reach your goal.

Course Objectives

recognize and produce basic vocabulary items.

demonstrate comprehensive mastery of content-specific commands, questions, and statements.

demonstrate comprehension and conversation facilitating behaviors.

demonstrate comprehension and production of regulating behaviors such as attention-getting techniques, turn-taking signals, and others.

comprehend and produce short narratives and stories in ASL.

compare, contrast, and interpret differences and commonalities among Deaf and hearing cultures.


Outline of Instruction

Introduction to signing and Deaf culture, signs for getting to know someone and for use in the classroom.

Recognize yes/no question and wh question facial expressions, signs for talking about family.

ASL parameters: handshape, location, movement, and orientation, signs for talking about school.

Expressing opposites and inflection through modifying signs; classifiers, signs for talking about home, relationships, and emotions.

Eye gaze, noun-verb pairs, agreement verbs, signs for talking about places in the community.

Time, topicalizing vs. SVO, signs for talking about time, colors.

Getting someone's attention, turn-taking, signs for talking about food.

History of Gallaudet University, signs for talking about clothing.

Code switching, contact sign language, incorporating numbers into signs, signs for talking about things in our homes.

Cardinal and ordinal numbers, loan signs, lexicalized fingerspelling, signs for talking about animals.


Contact Hours

25

CEUs

Yes

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

Certification

None

Website

None

Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

None.

Learning Supplies Needed

Please click on the Details button above to see the most up-to-date requirements for text and supplies.

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

None.

Requirements for Successful Completion

80% attendance

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

None.

Intended Audience

This course is designed for students who have never taken a sign language class before. Some voicing will be used either through a sign language interpreter or a hearing instructor.

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

N/A

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

N/A

Industry or Job Titles Related to Training Outcomes for Employment

N/A

Related Courses

COM-3709F2


Course Contact Information

Community & Career Education Staff
919-532-5700
[email protected]

No active courses available at this time.

To be notified when this course becomes available, please use Wake Tech’s Notify Me service .

American Sign Language 3

Take your ASL proficiency to the next level! Building upon the fundamentals from levels 1 and 2, this course provides a deeper dive into complex grammatical structures and advanced vocabulary. You will learn to sign with greater fluency, expression, and precision. In addition to honing your signing abilities, you will continue to explore the cultural context of ASL, delving into the rich history and diverse communities that use this language every day. Throughout the course, you will have ample opportunity to practice your signing skills through interactive activities, group discussions, and peer feedback. You will also receive personalized guidance and support from an experienced instructor. Join us for this exciting journey of exploration and growth, and discover the beauty and power of American Sign Language!

Course Objectives

recognize and produce a variety of words, phrases, and expressions.

demonstrate comprehensive mastery of content-specific commands, questions, and statements.

comprehend and produce short narratives and stories in ASL.


Outline of Instruction

Classifiers, role taking, and gender in ASL; vocabulary related to jobs and hobbies.

Lexicalized fingerspelling; vocabulary related to money.

Classifiers, indexing on the non-dominant hand, story-telling; vocabulary related to college life.

Comparison adjectives, classifiers, vocabulary related to describing the concepts of "enough" and "how much."

Adverbs in ASL, conceptually accurate signs; vocabulary related to describing preferences.

Sociolinguistic variation in sign language; vocabulary related to preferring, remembering.

Formal vs. casual signing, decontextualized signing vs. real communication; vocabulary related to food.

Vocabulary related to clothing.

The concept of "Total Communication," significance of Gallaudet University; vocabulary related to describing people and everyday activities.

Classifiers; vocabulary related to housing.


Contact Hours

25

CEUs

Yes

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

Certification

None

Website

None

Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

Students taking this class should be comfortable with fingerspelling, basic signs to introduce and describe self, and have the ability to use ASL to ask for assistance from the instructor. At this level, there is no voicing.

Learning Supplies Needed

Please click on the Details button to see the most up-to-date textbook and technology requirements.

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

None.

Requirements for Successful Completion

80% attendance

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

None.

Intended Audience

American Sign Language 3 is designed for students who already have mastery of foundational aspects of the language and would like to work toward proficiency at an intermediate level.

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

N/A

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

N/A

Industry or Job Titles Related to Training Outcomes for Employment

N/A

Related Courses

COM-3709G2

COM-3709F2


Course Contact Information

Community & Career Education Staff
919-532-5700
[email protected]

No active courses available at this time.

To be notified when this course becomes available, please use Wake Tech’s Notify Me service .

Frequently asked questions

Yes and no. Language learning requires quite a bit of time and effort. The busy lives of most adults don't allow much extra time to memorize, study and practice another language. However, the self-discipline and life experience of adult learners contribute to successful language learning. Studies show that learning another language is great exercise for our brains and can result in increased cognitive function. It's never too late to learn another language.
In some cases, introductory levels will be taught by hearing instructors. In the case where an introductory level is taught by a deaf instructor, interpreters will be present on the first night of class. Our instructors are expert at making sure they are able to communicate with their students.
Yes. Unless absolutely necessary, students will not use their voices during an ASL class. Introductory levels may use more voicing, but students will use ASL as much as possible as they progress through the levels.
ASL is a language of movement. Changes in facial expression and the movement of hands are used to indicate meaning. Movement is nearly impossible to capture in a static image found in traditional textbooks. Video-based lessons provide a way for students to practice with accuracy and precision at home.
There are many great resources for people who would like to learn ASL on their own. These resources can be great supports for learning grammar and vocabulary. However, if we want to develop communicative competence, we need to practice using ASL with real people.
Most people require quite a lot of time and effort to acquire another language. The old adage "use it or lose it" was never more true than with language acquisition. Regardless of age or stage, second languages require lots of practice. The more time a person is able to devote to memorizing and practicing signs, the faster they will acquire ASL.
We do not currently have a placement test available for any of our languages. If you're not sure which level to take, we can send you a list of topics covered in each level to help you decide which class is right for you.
These classes are all non-credit and will not count for transfer credit.
Students must be at least 16 years old on the first day of class. Students under 18 must register in person.
Classes begin throughout the year and do not necessarily follow a semester schedule.
If the class you would like to take is not available, click the "Notify me when offered" button to register your email address. You will be notified as soon as a section of that class becomes available.