Preview Day ASL I

• American Sign Language
• 12th Grade

Welcome to ASL I

Mrs. Just

Hi, welcome to my classroom! 

I am currently the ASL teacher here at Whitney.

We offer levels 1-3 of ASL. 

Let's take a look at how you can benefit from taking ASL.

What is American Sign Language

• ASL is the natural language of the Deaf and hard of hearing community 
• It is not English, ASL is its own language. It's also not universal, other countries have their own signed languages. The most similar is French Sign Language
• ASL is expressed by movements of the hands and face. 
• Are you a visual learner or do you learn better using your hands? ASL can help! It is a visual language.

Why take ASL?

• Plan to work after high school or do you currently work? Learning ASL can help when you encounter a Deaf person. Imagine trying to order something from your favorite restaurant but you are not able to have a conversation with that person. How would that feel?
• ASL is used in the United States, you don't have to travel to see the language in action.
• You bridging a communication gap of 600,000 in the United States that are Deaf
• Taking a world language can benefit you when applying to college or even jobs. Employers look for people that have learned another language.
• You get to meet new friends in different grade levels 
• You will get to learn about a new culture and community 
• Many colleges offer ASL, so you can continue to learn the language after high school.

What will we learn?

Here are some topics we will talk about in ASL 

• Introducing yourself
• The ASL alphabet and numbers
• Deaf History (how ASL came to be)
• Where you are from (states, cities, and towns in the US)
• Signing about your school (building, people who work here)
• Favorite food, color, activities, sports
• Family and friends
• And so much more!

Careers?

• Interpreting - you don't need a degree to become an interpreter. ARC has an interpreting program.
• Education- want to work with kids? ASL can help with students that don't feel comfortable talking 

• Minor in it- the skills and knowledge that you will learn by minoring in it will help you in your career.
•  Become a lawyer for the Deaf 
• Psychologist for the Deaf
• Helpful in the medical field with communicating with Deaf patience 

Questions?

If you have any questions, feel free to email me 

[e-mail]

Join our ASL Club in the Spring!