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Beginner American Sign Language

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to American Sign Language (ASL) tailored specifically for the modern workplace. Participants will develop the foundational skills necessary to produce and decode the manual alphabet and cardinal numbers 1–30, enabling the accurate communication of proper nouns, schedules, and inventory counts.

Students will integrate essential grammatical structures, using facial expressions and body transitions to distinguish between statements and various question forms. The curriculum emphasizes receptive competency, training learners to analyze and respond to signed instructions typical of professional settings. Beyond basic vocabulary, the course focuses on interpersonal execution, empowering students to initiate formal introductions, employ professional courtesy, and articulate requests for clarification to ensure workflow accuracy. Through collaborative role-play simulations, participants will coordinate meetings, convey directions, and facilitate workplace assistance. Assessment of these competencies involves one-on-one proficiency interviews and skill-based simulations designed to evaluate conversational fluency and the practical application of ASL in real-world business scenarios.

  • Produce and decode the ASL manual alphabet to fingerspell proper nouns. Utilize cardinal numbers 1–30 to manage schedules and workplace counts accurately.
  • Integrate facial expressions and body transitions to distinguish grammatical structures, specifically isolating statements from Yes/No and Wh-word questions.
  • Analyze and respond to concise signed instructions and inquiries typical of a professional environment.
  • Initiate formal interactions, conduct self-introductions, and employ professional conventions of courtesy, including "Please" and "Thank you."
  • Articulate requests for clarification, direct interlocutors to adjust signing speed, and indicate non-comprehension to maintain workflow accuracy.
  • Execute role-play simulations to coordinate meeting times, convey precise directions, and facilitate workplace assistance.

Methods of Assessment

To ensure students meet the proficiency standards required for the workplace, the following evaluative tools will be employed: Engage in one-on-one or peer dialogues to assess conversational fluency, the ability to initiate introductions, and the effective use of clarification strategies, and perform in professional role-play scenarios to evaluate the practical application of ASL in coordinating schedules, giving directions, and collaborating on tasks.

ASL skills are increasingly valued across a wide range of industries as employers seek to build more inclusive, accessible workplaces. Whether you work directly with the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community or simply want to expand your professional communication toolkit, foundational ASL opens doors and sets you apart.

This training is especially valuable for professionals in healthcare, social services, education, customer service, hospitality, law enforcement, emergency services, and retail — any setting where clear communication with every customer, patient, student, or community member matters. Supervisors and team leads who manage diverse workforces will also find ASL competency a meaningful asset in creating inclusive team environments.

Beyond the immediate workplace application, ASL proficiency demonstrates a commitment to accessibility and inclusion that resonates with employers, clients, and communities alike — and serves as a strong foundation for those who wish to pursue advanced ASL study or interpreter training pathways.

Upcoming Classes

Class Location

Class Dates
Time
Location
Cost
  • Apr 23, 2026 – May 28, 2026 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Thurs
100% Online offered by Anderson
$225

Deadline to Register: April 20th

100% Online, Instructor-Led
Contact: Anderson Career Link, (765) 252-4361, Anderson-careerlink@ivytech.edu

Costs may vary by location given differences in the cost of supplies and class provider.