American Sign Language Beginner's Class (8 weeks)

[You can read a hyperlinked version of this description here:
https://.groups.google.com/group/sf-american-sign-language-class]


Do you want to discover American Sign Language?


Do you want to have fun learning a new language? Do you want to share with your friends new signs, Deaf jokes, and stories about Deaf culture?

If your answer is “YES!” then this is for you …

… a new American Sign Language Beginner’s Class in San Francisco, , in the Mission Dolores district. This is an ongoing class every Wednesday 7pm till 8.30pm from March 20th until May 8th 2013 (with the possibility of extending the class, more about this below). You can book your place in advance at Eventbrite, or you can join this Google group and tell me that you intend to attend!

Learn about Sign Language and Deaf Culture in a fun, relaxed environment. Each class is designed to both teach newbies and to stretch those that know some sign, so come along and give it a go!

This is a popular class. As Joe puts it:

“David's ASL class in insanely fun, inspiring, and challenging. His class is honestly the highlight of my week. I recruit new students like it's my job because it's so engaging and rewarding to learn ASL as he teaches it.” (Joe Kettle, you can watch his video testimonial too)

I’m very knowledgeable about ASL, having read 100+ books about sign language, so you can ask me your questions. And here are some of the things that you’ll learn about Deaf Culture and linguistics during the course:

The story of how ASL came from France, and how ASL grammar has evolved in the last century
How is Black ASL different from standard ASL?
Deaf politics – the history of Gallaudet, the top Deaf University in America, why some Deaf people don’t want to be hearing
Deaf norms – and why Deaf people are “jokey” and like to talk in the kitchen
Finger fumblers (the ASL equivalent of tongue twisters)

Those who come to one class are hooked. As Rebecca explains:

“I have learned more in 2 months in my ASL class than I ever could have imagined! David’s teaching style is fun, engaging and rigorous. I wasn’t expecting to have such a strong intrinsic desire to learn ASL from once a week lessons but David makes every week so mentally stimulating I find myself urgently yearning for more! The lessons go by so quickly it’s hard to believe I just sat in silence for an hour and a half!” (Rebecca Fletcher, you can also watch her video testimonial)

I have been teaching Sign Language for 3 years. I draw on my past experience as a High School Teacher to make the classes fun, and on my experience as a NonViolent Communication Trainer to foster connection and community in the class.

I am profoundly Deaf, although I am an expert lip reader and have excellent speech. English is my first language, British Sign Language is my second language, and ASL my third. I’m part of both the Deaf and the Hearing communities, and so I have a unique perspective.

I have created multiple fun sign language resources. Here’s my video ’20 different ways to sign I Love You’ (with over 200,000 views!!). And here’s my world record attempt for fastest attempt to sign the ASL alphabet two-handed. My latest project is to write a fanfiction where Harry Potter is Deaf.

Until the class is full this is a drop in class. Even if you haven’t been to any previous classes you will feel welcome from the moment you walk in. As Chad tells it:

“David creates a fun and empowering environment where first-timers and people who've been to every class all chit chat without their voices. It's super fun!” (Chad Ostrowoski - here are some pictures from Chad’s class, I’m in the middle)

But please do check the latest news on the class, more on that below, before you come. I give priority to people who pay up front. I’ll let you know in advance if I hit capacity and can’t accept drop ins.

I suggest that you arrive 15 minutes early, both to guarantee your place and also because that’s good manners in Deaf Culture (you have learned something already!). When you have come once you’ll always want to arrive early. As Ky explains:

“I would rush to class early to sign with the other students and be sure not to miss a minute of the lesson.” (Ky Andrews)

To feel at ease joining the class you can prepare by learning how to fingerspell here. And you can practice here. Here’s some youtube ASL resources, all with closed captions - SeekGo has a channel with signed videos; CaptainValour has around 20 ASL Songs, such as 'Party in the USA'; and here’s a funny video that shows you what it’s like if you are Deaf and can lipread.

To interact with people who are Deaf online I recommend the All Deaf Forum.

Many of my past students enjoy the class so much that they bring along their friends. Brian even told me that:

“David's class is a great for a date because students are constantly involved and entertained throughout the learning process.” (Brian Olsen)

If you want to have fun learning a new a language then drop by the new American Sign Language Beginner’s Class. This is an ongoing class every Wednesday 7pm till 8.30pm from March 20th until May 8th 2013. The class is at 16th and Dolores Street, just north of the First Mennonite Church (less than half a mile west from the 16th Street Mission Bart Station, or you can take the 22 Bus) - I'll email you the exact address when you sign up for the class.

The cost is $15 for an hour and a half class (and you can pay ahead when you come to guarantee your place). This is excellent value considering that the standard rate for learning ASL in SF is over $25 an hour.

You can book your place in advance at Eventbrite, or you can join this Google group and then that you intend to attend!

You can sign up for weekly resources and updates to the class by joining the SF American Sign Language Google group. You need to join if you plan to come along, for this is how you’ll get the latest information about the class and online ASL resources. Please send me message via this the Google group to that you plan to attend, so I can give you the exact address.

And please join this group even if you can’t come along to the class on Wednesdays - you’ll get free ASL resources and you can also let me know that you would attend at a different time. [If there’s enough demand I’ll teach another beginner’s sign language class.]

I hope to see you soon!

David Lawson,
Professional Instructor - sign language for beginners


P.S. When I have the time I do side ASL projects. You can contact me about this via Google groups or ask me in person at the class. My last project was to translate the creed of a school into ASL. I created a video within 2 hours of being asked to do this. This fast turnaround, and going beyond what I was asked to do, meant that my student insisted on paying me double my rates. As she tells it:

“Wow!!! thank you so much!!!! … Thank you again and again! … You did way more than what I asked for and so quickly too!” (Rebecca Fletcher)


P.S.S. I want you set the right expectations for the class. I learned ASL 6 months ago. Being previously fluent in British Sign Language has made this straightforward. While I have mastered the grammar, which is the hardest thing to learn, I don’t yet have a full ASL vocabulary. In my previous ASL classes I made this promise to my students - for any word that I get asked to sign that I don’t know I will find out the sign for next week’s class. Don’t expect me to know all the signs, but do expect me to find out anything that I don’t know.