The Course
Hello and welcome! I’m thrilled you’ve decided to dive into this exciting adventure with me. This course is your gateway to exploring American Sign Language — a vibrant, visual language that’s not just a means of communication, but a rich part of Deaf culture.
Get ready to meet a new part of yourself!
Welcome to Let’s Sign Together!
Congratulations on taking the first step in your journey into the beautiful world of American Sign Language (ASL). Whether you're just beginning or continuing your studies, I'm thrilled to be your guide as we explore the unique and fascinating aspects of ASL and the vibrant culture of the Deaf community.
Why I Developed this Course
After teaching ASL at the college level for 20 years and developing a sign language program for infants and children with special needs, I've seen the common questions and challenges that come along with learning ASL at every level.
Year after year I encountered the same questions, and began to recognize frequent areas of confusion. I was also front seat to the excitement (and sometimes the fear) that comes with learning a new language. So I decided to preemptively answer the questions and assuage the fears and stoke the excitement with a handmade curriculum to get you signing fast, confidently and with respect for the Deaf community.
This course is designed with all that in mind—crafted to make your learning experience exciting and deeply rewarding. Enjoy the journey!
Answering the Basic Questions
Grasping the Essentials of American Sign Language
Learning Deaf Etiquette
A Wide-Ranging Guide to American Sign Language Proficiency
Interactive
Engaging with American Sign Language Through Hands-On Practice
Curriculum
- ASL Alphabet and Fingerspelling
- Fingerspelling Practice: The Months of the Year
- Common Phrases and Questions in ASL
- Signs You Probabaly Already Know... Its intuitive.
- Getting Started with Numbers
- Making Introductions
- WH Questions - Learn 6 'WH' Questions to Ask your New Friend
- Meeting your First Deaf Friend
- Colors
- Describing People in ASL (2:32)
- Video: Family Signs in ASL
- Using Ranking or Listing - Use this to show where you are in the birth order.
- Personal and Possessive Adjectives
- Food Signs
- Where you Live and Types of Housing
- Places and Landmarks
- Who you Live With
- Putting it All Together - Using What You Know So Far
- Language Backgrounds
- Practicing Conversational Skills in ASL
- Overview of the Deaf Community
- Deaf Gain
- Social and Cultural Aspects of Deaf Culture
- Deaf Culture Spotlight: Through Deaf Eyes
- Deaf Culture Spotlight: Sound and Fury
- TEDx Talk: Not the Hearing or Deaf World - The Heather World
- Start ASL Blog
- Social Media Influencers
- Nyle Dimarco - Deaf Utopia
- Nyle DiMarco reflects on deaf culture and visibility | Nightline
- Deaf Education - Introduction
- Video 1: Through the Eyes of Deaf Children
- Video 2: The Misunderstood Reason Deaf Children Fall Behind: Language Deprivation
- Video 3: Deaf School vs. Mainstream - What are the Differences between Deaf Schools and Mainstream schools?
- Implications of Language Deprivation
- Education and Health of Children with Hearing Loss: The Necessity of Signed Language
- Misconceptions about Interpreting (funny)
- Protecting and Interpreting Deaf Culture | Glenna Cooper | TEDxTulsaCC (Video - 16 minutes)
- Guide to Becoming a Well-Qualified Sign Language Interpreter in America (Video - 21 minutes)
- Guide to Becoming a Well-Qualified Sign Language Interpreter in America (Handbook)
- What Does the Fox Say - (Video 3:27 minutes)
Your instructor
At age 10, I met my first Deaf friend, sparking a lifelong curiosity about how people think without hearing or speaking.
Too young to enter college, I began learning ASL through books, charity organizations, and Deaf meetups.
I later earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s in Deaf education, and became a teacher of the Deaf, teaching 2nd grade at the Lexington School for the Deaf for seven years.
In 2002 My journey continued with interpreter training at LaGuardia Community College, the Juilliard Theatrical Interpreting Program, and coursework in Columbia University's Teaching ASL as a Foreign Language masters program.
in 2004 I founded the ASL Connection and I created the Let’s Sign Together program.
Having been immersed in the Deaf community and exposed to native signers, I have developed a deep respect for Deaf culture, viewing Deafness as a rich and beautiful culture rather than a pathology.
My goal is to serve as a tour guide, introducing students to the vibrant world of Deaf influencers, actors, artists, teachers, poets, and native signers who serve as inspiring role models.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy gardening, dancing, hiking, cooking, and spending time with my daughter Julia, who is fluent in ASL, and our Bernese Mountain Dog, Scout (who knows a few signs).
Interesting fact about me: I am a lifelong yogi and became certified to teach yoga in 2014. In a strange twist of fate, Deaf folks attended the very first yoga class I taught. And they NEVER stopped coming - leading me to host 5 ASL yoga retreats for Deaf and Deaf-friendly yogis. You can't make this up. Follow your heart and passions, and the universe will take you to amazing places ... beyond your wildest dreams.
I’m passionate about accessibility and inclusiveness for all people and am a strong advocate for diversity and freedom of expression. After all, “Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.”
Thank you for reading alllll the way to the end! I hope that it inspired you to follow your dreams (that may now include ASL ;)