Overview

Course No. 20040

Expand your communication abilities with this foundational course in American Sign Language (ASL). Dr. Julia Silvestri, a native ASL user, will guide you through the unique elements of ASL, from the manual alphabet to storytelling and beyond.

Video Lesson List

1. Gestural Language and Communication

Understand the difference between ASL signs and gestures, and learn some iconic signs used in ASL.

26 min

2. The ASL Alphabet

Learn the entire ASL fingerspelling alphabet and practice signing letters and common blends.

24 min

3. Numbers in ASL

Sign numbers up to 1 billion and learn how to express dates, phone numbers, and arithmetic functions.

34 min

4. The Importance of Introductions in Deaf Culture

Discover how to identify your hearing status and learn about the significance of ASL names.

24 min

5. Facial Expressions and Greetings in ASL

Explore the role of facial expressions in ASL and learn to sign various greetings and emotions.

22 min

6. The Linguistic Parameters of ASL

Understand the five parameters of ASL signs and how changing one can alter meaning.

27 min

7. Asking Questions in ASL

Learn the signs and facial expressions for asking questions and increase your conversational vocabulary.

26 min

8. Making Commands in ASL

Discover how to make commands related to objects and activities, and understand the differences in facial expressions for commands vs. questions.

27 min

9. Using Semantic Classifiers in ASL

Learn about semantic classifiers and how they add meaning to conversations, including signs for various activities.

24 min

10. Signing about Food and Dining in ASL

Build vocabulary for discussing food and dining out, including signs for various foods and the concept of DeafSpace.

28 min

11. Time Expressions in ASL

Learn how to express time in ASL, including precise hours, days of the week, and months, and understand the physical timeline concept.

30 min

12. Discussing Location and Transportation in ASL

Sign about different locations and transportation, and learn how shared language builds Deaf culture community.

28 min

13. Describing Educational Experiences in ASL

Explore the history of Deaf education and learn signs for various educational levels and subjects.

33 min

14. The Importance of Community in Deaf Culture

Understand the significance of community in Deaf culture and learn signs for describing places and inclusivity.

34 min

15. Topicalization and Spatialization in ASL

Learn how topicalization and spatialization affect sign meaning and build vocabulary for describing settings.

31 min

16. Describing Settings in ASL

Experience the power of ASL in describing physical environments and learn signs for natural phenomena.

33 min

17. Describing People in ASL

Learn signs for describing physical appearance, relationships, occupations, and personalities, including inclusive terms.

33 min

18. Discussing Social Activities in ASL

Use indexing and plural classifiers to talk about hobbies and social activities, including new vocabulary for various interests.

26 min

19. Narrative Structure in ASL

Create simple narratives in ASL using role shifting and bulleting, and understand the structure of an ASL story.

24 min

20. Storytelling and Handshape Stories

Engage with handshape stories, unique to signed language, and learn vocabulary for storytelling.

37 min

21. Visual Vernacular and ASL Performances

Explore Visual Vernacular, a unique ASL literature genre, and discover ASL performances.

30 min

22. ASL Poetry

Learn about ASL poetry, its use in sharing feelings, and techniques like beats and rhymes.

28 min

23. Symbolism and Figurative Language in ASL

Understand the use of symbolism and figurative language in ASL creative works.

29 min

24. Bring It All Together: Opinion Statements

Learn to create compound sentences and express opinions in ASL using contrastive structures.

34 min