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Adult Sign Language Classes

2010 - 2011 School Year

Two people hand signing
Learning opportunities

Adult sign language classes at Perkins are offered twice a year, during the fall and spring. All classes are taught in Signed English and meet once a week for two hours. Twelve-week sessions begin mid-September and are repeated again beginning late January. Classes are open to the community and anyone age 16 or over may register for a class. 

Download registration form for 2010 sign language classes. Tuition is $50. All classes are taught in Signed English and meet once a week for twelve sessions. There are no classes during the Perkins school vacation weeks in February and April.

Call 617-924-3444, ext. 8317 for more information. 

Winter 2010 Course Schedule

Level One: includes approximately 500 word vocabulary, introduction to fingerspelling and development of basic sign language skills.

 DAY TIME  INSTRUCTOR START DATE
Wednesday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Derm Keohane February 3
Monday (Registration for this class is closed.)  6:30 - 8:30 p.m.  Cheryl Hovsepian February 1


Level Two
:  additional 500 word vocabulary, expansion of fingerspelling and sign language skills.  (Prerequisite: successful completion of a level one course).

 DAY  TIME  INSTRUCTOR START DATE
Monday 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.  Christine Dwyer February 1
Tuesday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Derm Keohane February 2


Level Three
:  Ongoing acquisition of vocabulary, increased skill with receptive sign and fingerspelling.  (Prerequisite: successful completion of a level two course).

 DAY  TIME  INSTRUCTOR START DATE
Monday 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.  Cheryl Hovsepian February 1

 
We typically offer two levels of sign language courses:

Level One

Signed English: large group class conducted in voice and sign language with a strong emphasis on expressive skills.

  • Approximately 500 word basic vocabulary
  • The manual alphabet
  • Numbers 1-20
  • Ability to read and fingerspell words up to 5 letters at a slow pace
  • Ability to expressively communicate in sign language and fingerspelling a short story up to 5 sentences.
  • Ability to obtain the main idea from a signed sequence of 3-4 sentences.

Level Two

Signed English: large group class conducted in voice and sign language with a strong emphasis on receptive skills.

  • Approximately (additional) 500 word vocabulary
  • Fluency with the manual alphabet
  • Numbers 1-100
  • Ability to fingerspell words comfortably
  • Ability to expressively communicate a paragraph in sign language and fingerspelling
  • Ability to obtain the main idea from a signed story and answer specific questions about the story

Prerequisites:  Successful completion of Level One or equivalent