Leader:  Laurence Hayes - Eastern Kentucky University

        Members:

Anthony Aramburo - University of New Orleans
Michael Bienstock - Lamar University
Karen Petronio - Eastern Kentucky University
Kate Reynolds - University of New Orleans
Bob Hoffmeister - Boston University

    This syllabus is designed to focus on instructing hearing students (non-native signers) who are learning American Sign Language as a second language. Many of the techniques and activities outlined in this syllabus can also be applied to the instruction of contact language commonly referred to as Signed English. Instruction of ASL as well as what we have referred to as Signed English is not without controversy in our field. The point of this syllabus is to provide ACEDHH members with
a tool for the instruction of ASL and a supplemental list of materials that can used for a variety of instructional purposes.

    Recommendations and Considerations: The committee felt very strongly that a student must take a minimum of four semesters of ASL classes. The committee also felt that students must demonstrate competency through an evaluation tool such as the Educational Sign Skills Evaluation or the Sign Communication Proficiency Inventory. Students must obtain a designated level prior to entry into practicum and then a higher level prior to admission to student teaching. This syllabus does not address the need for students to study separate ASL linguistics and Deaf culture coursework.

Course Description:

    American Sign Language 1. No Prerequisites. Study of American Sign Language second language learners. The course is
designed to place initial emphasize on receptive language skills, including instruction of grammatical structures of ASL. Expressive language skills will be developed as students acquire receptive language skills. Lab hours required.

Note: Within the classroom, an immersion instructional approach will be used in order to enhance the students acquisition of ASL, understanding of a visual language communication environment.

Note: YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE SIGN LANGUAGE LAB ONE HOUR PER WEEK FOR A TOTAL OF 15 HOURS. LAB HOURS ARE FOR ASL 1-1V ARE POSTED ON THE PROGRAM WEB SITE. NO VOICE IS ALLOWED IN THE LAB, THE PURPOSE OF THE LAB IS TO IMMERSE YOU IN AN ASL ENVIRONMNET,PROVIDE STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES FOR LEARNING ASL AND INTERACTING WITH NATIVE DEAF LAB PERSONNEL.

Perspective on Text:

    There are numerous curriculum materials for the instruction of ASL. The Signing Naturally curriculum offers an
immersion approach and training for instructors is available through workshops provided by the authors throughout the country.

    Smith, C., Lentz, E. and Mikos, K. (1988). Vista American Sign Language Series Functional Approach: Signing Naturally Student Workbook and Video Text.

Course Objectives:

    Upon completion of this semester, the students will be able to:

1. Show awareness of and respect for Deaf culture.
2. Use appropriate ASL grammatical structure.
3. Understand and use signs expressively and receptively related
    to:

(a) Introducing oneself and others,
(b) Exchanging personal information,
(c) Talking about surroundings and where they live,
(d) Talking about their families, and
(e) Telling about specific activities.

    An extensive array of supplemental materials now exists to enhance the instruction of ASL or Signed English. ACEDHH members are encouraged to browse the Web Sites on the Resource page and utilize them for improving their particular instructional approach.

Unit 1 Introducing Oneself Video, overheads, CD ROM. Web Sites

Unit 2 Exchanging Personal Information Video, overheads, CD ROM. Web Sites

Unit 3 Talking About Surroundings Video, overheads, CD ROM. Web Sites

Unit 4 Telling Where You Live Video, overheads, CD ROM. Web Sites

Unit 5 Talking About Family Video, overheads, CD ROM. Web Sites

Unit 6 Telling About Activities Video, overheads, CD ROM. Web Sites

Course Requirements:

1. 3 quizzes (50 points each) 150 pts (see course outline for dates)
2. 1 journal reviews (20 points). 20pts.
3. 1 final exam (100 points) 100 pts
4. 15 Lab Hours (one per week = 30pts) 30pts

TOTAL 300 pts possible

Note: Lab hours are earned at the rate of one hour per week. You can not make up lab hours unless there is a family or medical emergency. The lab manager will keep track of your hours via the sign in and sign out lab computer.

Evaluation Methods.

1. 3 quizzes (50 points each) 150 pts (see course outline for
dates)
2. 1 journal reviews (20 points) 20pts.
3. 1 final exam (100 points) 100 pts
4. 15 Lab Hours (one per week = 30pts) 30pts

TOTAL 300 pts possible

B = 81-90%
C = 71-80%
D = 61-70%
F = 60 or below

    Class attendance is critical. Absences equating to 20% of class meetings will result in automatic failure. It is necessary for students to attend all their classes and complete their outside assignments since language learning is performance based, attendance is paramount.

International Directory of Sign Language Research
http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~nzsldict/idslr.html

Lists of Resources for Assessment and American Sign Language
http://gri.gallaudet.edu/Assessment/asl.html

"A Practical Sign Language Online Dictionary"
http://www.handspeak.com/

"A Basic Dictionary of ASL Terms"
http://www.masterstech-home.com/ASLDict.html

American Sign Language Browser
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/

"Animated Sign Language"
http://www.bconnex.net/~randys/index1.html

A web page listing several videotapes specializing in different subjects

http://www.rit.edu/~dabdis/tech/rsorcs.html#vt

ASL number systems in technical discourse, on David Bar-Tsur web page
http://www.rit.edu/~dabdis/tech/nbrs.html

Use of classifiers in technical discourse, by David Bar-Tsur
http://www.rit.edu/~dabdis/tech/cl.html

Signs for technical vocabulary by David Bar-Tsur
http://www.rit.edu/~dabdis/tech/vocab/a.html

American Sign Language Teachers Association
http://aslta.aslweb.com/

Foreign Language Teachers Web Ring
http://members.aol.com/alysser/flteachers.htm

ASL Activities, Books & Teaching Materials for Students of All ages
http://members.aol.com/alysser/aslpgs.htm

List of books recommended for ASL students to read.
http://members.aol.com/alysser/aslbks.htm#TeachASL Reading
Recommendations

List of Books related to ASL and Deaf Culture
http://www.aslinfo.com/books.html

Deaf General Bibliography
http://www.deaflibrary.org/bibliography.html

A web sites with an index to numerous places that sell ASL videotapes
http://www.aslaccess.org/sources.htm

Sign Media Inc.
http://www.signmedia.com/

Gallaudet University Press
www.gallaudet.edu/~gupress/

Dawn Sign Press
http://www.dawnsign.com/cgi-bin/webplus.exe?script=/NetPropulsion/0026/34/webpshop/mall.wml

Sign Quest Publishing, Inc.
http://www.massoud.org/sqp/

Digital Language Works Corporation
http://www.deafcanada.com/DigitalLanguageWorks/

http://members.aol.com/alysser/teachasl.htm#teachasltop