Willie Ross School for the Deaf Offering Sign Language Classes for Community
LONGMEADOW — Willie Ross School for the Deaf (WRSD) announced its spring term of American Sign Language classes beginning Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the school’s campus at 32 Norway St., Longmeadow. Classes will be held once a week on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and will run for 13 weeks through May 12 (there are no classes on Feb. 17 or April 21).
Registration costs $175 for the term, and those interested can sign up at wrsdeaf.org/american-sign-language-classes. Registration will also be open on the evening of the first class, Feb. 3, from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Sign language classes are taught by deaf individuals.
WRSD will offer Levels 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 3. All class levels begin on Feb. 3, and during the first class, WRSD teaching staff will assess participants’ fluency to determine the best level placement. Individuals must be age 16 or older to participate.
The Level 1A beginner course is for students who have no previous experience in sign language or finger spelling. Students will learn the manual alphabet and will learn to combine words to form simple sentences. The Level 1B course will focus on expanding basic vocabulary and conversation skills.
The Level 2A intermediate course will focus on further expanding vocabulary and conversation skills, and the 2B course is designed for students who possess a strong basic sign language vocabulary and fluency in expressive and receptive communication.
The Level 3 course will emphasize receptive and expressive discourse with ASL users, focus on non-manual signals, complex grammatical construction, and idiomatic expressions.
All WRSD sign language courses use the Signing Naturally curriculum. Books are available for purchase for $85. Certificates of completion will be issued based upon three or fewer absences. To learn more, visit www.wrsdeaf.org/american-sign-language-classes.
WRSD is also offering a free sign language course for parents and guardians of Willie Ross School for the Deaf students on Wednesday evenings. Handout materials will also be available in Spanish.
For more information, email Laurie Brown, director of Outreach Services, at lbrown@wrsdeaf.org, or Becka Mitchell, coordinator of Student and Administrative Services, at bmitchell@wrsdeaf.org.