Sign Language Center - Sign Language School NYC

Thank you for your interest in taking classes at The Sign Language Center. Our goal is to combine the teaching of a language with an understanding of the culture it comes from. We believe this enriches the learning experience and allows the acquisition of language to be easy and fun.

In the past twenty-five years, there has been a surge of research analyzing American Sign Language (ASL) linguistically. These studies provide evidence that American Sign Language (ASL) meets the criteria of being a true language with grammatical and syntactical rules. This research has increased interest and awareness concerning the deaf community and the Deaf culture.

Deaf culture is the celebration of pride in the history and the traditions of the community. Knowledge of American Sign Language is what truly holds the community together and how social and cultural identity is passed down from generation to generation. Social mores and rules are defined and created through the use of visual language. For example, eye contact and body language are key factors in effective communication.

The Sign Language Center was established in order to bridge the communication gap between the deaf and hearing worlds. As the only deaf-owned and operated school in Manhattan we have a unique perspective on how to accomplish this task. American Sign Language (ASL) Level 1 is offered for first time students with classes ranging up to conversational level. We also teach classes/workshops in culture, history and linguistics in order to encourage a deeper knowledge and appreciation of Deaf culture. Our American Sign Language (ASL) instructors are Deaf or native signing hearing individuals that learned American Sign Language (ASL) as a first language.

Again, thank you for your interest and we look forward to seeing you in class.

Alan Roth
President of Sign Language Center (SLC) - Sign Language School

COURSES OFFERED BY Sign Language Center (SLC) - Sign Language School

LEVEL 1

Level 1 American Sign Language (ASL) focuses on basic vocabulary, grammar, reception and tools to make a smooth transition to learning a visual language.

LEVEL 2

Level 2 expands on vocabulary and grammatical knowledge, while providing exercises to increase comfort and fluency in using the body, face and hands.

LEVEL 3

Level 3 teaches advanced grammar, syntax and improves finger-spelling production. Focus is on basic classifiers, quantifiers and locatives.

LEVEL 4

Level 4 continues teaching advanced grammar and syntax with a strong focus on mass quantity classifiers, directional verbs and numeral incorporation.

LEVEL 5

Level 5 further instructs advanced grammar and syntax, while introducing semantics with focus on topicalization, conjunctions and distributional aspects.

LEVEL 6

Level 6 provides a cumulative review of vocabulary, grammar and syntax of previous levels in preparation of conversation level.

CONVERSATIONAL CLASS

Conversation classes use a natural conversation mode in order to increase fluency. Heavy concentration will be placed on telling stories that are clear, coherent, interesting and culturally appropriate

SIGN LANGUAGE CENTER WORKSHOPS

American Sign Language (ASL) LINGUISTICS

This workshop is analytical exploration of American Sign Language (ASL), including phonological, morphological, syntactic, discourse/register aspects of the language as well as basic linguistics history. This class is for advanced students only.

FINGERSPELLING

This workshop is for students beginning to advance and focuses on improving reception, production and articulation of finger-spelling.

DEAF HISTORY

This workshop focuses on events and individuals that influenced the Deaf community and the progression of American Sign Language (ASL) to its current form.

DEAF CULTURE

This workshop is designed to increase an awareness of the Deaf communitys traditions, expressions used and etiquette.

TUTORING

Individual tutoring is available for students seeking one on one instruction. Tutoring is also beneficial for students that may miss a class or who want specified lessons.

Sign Language Center (SLC) - MISSION STATEMENT

Most deaf people were raised in a hearing world. Here at Sign Language Center (SLC), our goal is not only to teach American Sign Language, but also to bridge the gap between our worlds by to sharing in the beauty of the language behind the Deaf Culture. Sign Language Center is proud to be the only deaf owned Sign Language School in New York City (NYC, NY, Manhattan). We hope this will encourage other people with disabilities to acknowledge their strengths and overcome the worlds obstacles. Together, our struggles will make us stronger!

SIGN LANGUAGE CLASS SELECTIONS

ALL CLASSES ARE 6 SESSIONS

Please see Updated Class Selections and Schedules

http://signlanguagecenter.com - Click on Schedule box to view updated schedules

Learn Sign Language NYC | Sign Language School NYC | Learn Sign NYC | Learn ASL NYC | Manhattan

Handshop.com Marketing - Dynamic Web Content and Web Design Services, Web Site Editor, Web Content Management, Web Application, Web Database