Intensive Study in ASL Program
Intensive Study in American Sign Language Program
The Division of Adult and Continuing Education’s Intensive Study in American Sign Language (ISASL) Program is a 6-course series focusing on communication with Deaf individuals. These courses are designed for those who wish to make rapid progress in developing ASL skills and expand their multicultural sign vocabulary but do not wish to earn academic credit. Using the Master ASL! Curriculum, you will develop vocabulary, conversational competence and grammatical knowledge through a total immersion approach that includes classroom conversation, visual language lab activities and online exercises. You will be expected to expand your interaction with the local Deaf community to enhance your linguistic skills and cultural knowledge. Classes are offered days, evenings and weekends through the Program for Deaf Adults or in conjunction with the Education and Language Acquisition Department. High school or GED diploma required.
Upon completion and passing of Intensive Study in ASL 1 - 4 and Fingerspelling 1 & 2 courses, within two years you can earn a Certificate in Conversational American Sign Language. If you have already started your sign language education, you are required to be pre-screened for appropriate level placement. To schedule an appointment contact Paul Carlson at pcarlson@lagcc.cuny.edu or (866) 553-3609.
If you wish to earn academic credit for these courses, you must be admitted to the college for the fall or spring semester and are not required to be screened. For more information about ASL classes for credit contact Carole Lazorisak, Education and Language Acquisition Department, Room B-206, at (917) 832-1204 or carolel@lagcc.cuny.edu
This certificate program is not designed to train students as interpreters for the Deaf. For more information on our ASL-English Interpretation Program visit http://www.laguardia.edu/aeip/.
Interested in learning American Sign Language? Come to the
free introductory session and learn how to become a fluent
communicator or how to make a career from your skills as a
signer. It includes a look at the state-of-the-art ASL Language
Lab!
You will be introduced to the fundamentals of American Sign
Language as used by the Deaf community, including vocabulary,
syntax, grammar, semantics, language in use and basic Deaf
cultural revelant information. You will focus on developing
language and communication skills.
Building on the foundations of ASL Level 1, you will focus on
American Sign Language as used by the Deaf community,
including vocabulary, syntax, grammar, semantics, language in
use and basic aspects of Deaf cultural values.
Prerequisite: Intensive Study in ASL Level 1 or pre-screening.
Expand your ASL skills in a variety of discourse and narrative
settings. Topics include spatial organization, semantic awareness,
complex use of ASL grammar and syntax, use of classifiers,
advanced and complex Deaf cultural information.
Prerequisite: Intensive Study in ASL Level 2 or pre-screening.
Further enhance your ASL skills in a variety of discourse and
narrative settings. Topics include spatial organization, spatial
visualization and mapping work; analysis of semantics; complex
use of ASL grammar and syntax; use of classifiers; advanced
and complex Deaf cultural information.
Prerequisite: Intensive Study in ASL Level 3 or pre-screening.
Explore the fundamentals of ASL fingerspelling, numbers and
glossing. You will focus on the development of ASL parameters,
including hand shapes, orientation, location, movement and
non-manual signals. Offered jointly with the Education and
Language Acquisition Department.
Prerequisite: Intensive Study in ASL Level 1 or pre-screening.
Build on the foundations of ASL fingerspelling, numbering and
glossing in Level 1. You will focus on the further development
of ASL parameters, including hand shapes, orientation, location,
movement and non-manual signs. Offered jointly with the
Education and Language Acquisition Department.
Prerequisite: ASL Fingerspelling 1 and Intensive Study in ASL
Level 2.
Required textbook and DVD for all ISASL Levels 1-4 classes
Master ASL! Level One
by Jason Zinza
This can be purchased at Sign Media, Inc., at the College's
Barnes & Nobles Bookstore in the basement of the LaGuardia’s
Main Building, or online.
Required textbook for all ASL Fingerspelling, Numbers, &
Glossing 1-2 classes
Master ASL! Fingerspelling, Numbers, and Glossing
by Jason Zinza
They can be purchased at Sign Media, Inc., at the College's
Barnes & Nobles Bookstore in the basement of the
LaGuardia’s Main Building, or online.
Recommended materials
(can be purchased at the College’s bookstore or online)
1. Random House Webster's ASL Dictionary
by E. Costello, L. I. Tom and P. M. Setzer
2. The Complete Idiot's to Conversational Sign Language
by C. Lazorisak and D. Donohue