Art has many ways of expressing itself. American Sign Language (ASL) itself is an artful language. A mix of acting and speaking, ASL gets your whole body involved. Like a beautifully choreographed dance, ASL teaches and shows us how to express ourselves without using our voices. We always see how important our body language is… even more so with ASL: it can not only show your words, but how you feel, and how important your message is, from idle chat to serious news. The Atlanta International Language Institute offers this amazing language along with many others.
*Courses include 10 consecutive weekly classes (barring major holidays). Classes meet once a week for 2 hours at our location, or online. The curriculum of our language program is built for groups of three to nine students who complete the material in ten weeks. We also offer more immersive classes that are seven weeks for two students, and five weeks for private lessons.
Please note that all classes are subject to a minimum enrollment.
Students will learn to reproduce, and sign the entire ASL alphabet correctly.
Students will learn how to ask and answer basic questions about themselves and their background
Students will learn to associate new vocabulary with finger spellings of the alphabet, and will be able to identify, comprehend, and demonstrate common and familial vocabulary.
Vocabulary will include your personal background, family vocabulary and weather and climate.
By the end of the 200 levels, students will have learned to apply their skills and cultural knowledge beyond the classroom.
Students will learn to express their feelings and emotions with varying levels of intensity and/or inflection, including other aspects of ASL such as lingering eye contact and facial expressions.
Students will learn to request assistance and clarification.
Students will learn to provide detailed descriptions using advanced classifiers.
Participants will learn to provide and follow directions, including executing basic instructions.
Students will learn to identify themes and essential details while viewing a signed narrative.
People will be taught to comprehend culturally authentic poetry, jokes, and anecdotes.
Students will learn the difference between statements, questions and commands using the appropriate reciprocal and demonstrable verbs, and identify and comprehend basic non-manual markers.
Students will recite themes and essential details from level-based ASL materials.
Individuals will be able to give brief organized signed presentations (including visual and technological support).
Students will be able to participate in real or simulated cultural events.
Students will be introduced to idiomatic expressions and slang.
At this level, we continue to practice every day conversation that were previously learned and initiate new conversations about daily life, news, events etc.
Students will be able to identify patterns of behavior that are typically associated with Deaf culture.
At this point, students will be able to give examples of historical views and foreign influences in American Sign Language.
This class is 100% immersive, with no vocalization, only signing.
Students will be asked to relate information acquired in their professions and environments in sign language, being detailed about their knowledge and experiences.
We compare and contrast the social conventions of Deaf culture with one's own culture and the differences in vocabulary and structural patterns of ASL and English.
