This course is designed to provide a comprehensive and interactive learning experience to help students acquire sign communication skills and an understanding of Deaf culture. The activity content is organized into the following key components:
1. Basic Sign Language Skill Acquisition
• Fingerspelling and the Alphabet: Systematic learning of the sign language alphabet (fingerspelling), which is essential for spelling unfamiliar words.
• Core Vocabulary and Phrases: Mastering the most frequently used words for daily communication, including basic greetings (e.g., "Hello," "Thank you"), numbers, colors, family members, common verbs, and nouns.
• Foundational Grammar: Understanding the unique grammar and sentence structures of sign language (such as ASL), including the Topic-Comment structure.
2. Interactive Practice and Application
• Personal Introductions: Students will practice giving a complete introduction in sign, covering their name, origin, and motivation for learning.
• Situational Dialogues: Practicing paired sign conversations by simulating real-life scenarios like ordering at a cafe, asking for directions, or expressing feelings.
• Sign Language Games: Engaging in fun, interactive games such as fingerspelling relay, vocabulary matching, or sign quizzes to reinforce and test knowledge retention.
• Signed Performance: Learning to interpret songs or short stories in sign language to appreciate its artistry and emotional expression as a visual language.
3. Culture and Inclusion Experience
• Introduction to Deaf Culture: Learning the fundamentals of Deaf Culture, community norms, and social etiquette to understand the Deaf experience and visual communication style.
• Communication Strategies: Gaining knowledge of effective strategies for interacting with Deaf individuals, such as the importance of eye contact, methods for getting attention, and how to offer polite corrections.
• Inclusion Practice: Encouraging students to interact with Deaf instructors or other signers to practice applying their skills and fostering understanding and harmony between the Deaf and Hearing communities.