ASL Classes for RSD Families
Welcome! Rochester School for the Deaf is pleased to offer American Sign Language (ASL) classes for the families of current RSD students. RSD is proud to support families as they learn ASL as an important part of your child's growth and development. We strive to support your family to have meaningful and open communication with your Deaf or hard-of-hearing child, so they can blossom linguistically, socially, and emotionally by having an accessible visual language at home, at family events, and in interactions in the Deaf community.
We offer three 8-week course sessions per year in fall, winter, and spring.
The next session will be scheduled to begin in January. Registration is now open.
Check-in begins at 5:30 pm on the first night of classes in Lyon Hall. Parking is available in Lots A and C.
Winter 2025 CLASSES
Registration for the Family SFA classes will open on December 16.
Adult Classes
RSD Family ASL 1 Tuesday 6:15-7:15 pm in person
Teacher: Serfirys Vicente
Dates: 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/25, 03/04, 03/11, 03/18, 03/25
Teacher: Serfirys Vicente
Dates: 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/25, 03/04, 03/11, 03/18, 03/25
RSD Family ASL 2 Wednesday 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm virtual
Teacher: Albert Quilala
Dates: 01/27*, 02/05, 02/12, 02/26, 03/05, 03/12, 03/19, 03/26
*Makeup for 1/29 class
Teacher: Albert Quilala
Dates: 01/27*, 02/05, 02/12, 02/26, 03/05, 03/12, 03/19, 03/26
*Makeup for 1/29 class
RSD Family ASL Immersion Thursday 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm virtual
Teacher: Albert Quilala
Dates: 01/30, 02/06, 02/13, 02/27, 03/06, 03/13, 03/20, 03/27
Teacher: Albert Quilala
Dates: 01/30, 02/06, 02/13, 02/27, 03/06, 03/13, 03/20, 03/27
RSD Family ASL 1 Tuesday 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm on virtual
Teacher: Arooj Ajaz
Dates: Dates: 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/25, 03/04, 03/11, 03/18, 03/25
Teacher: Arooj Ajaz
Dates: Dates: 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/25, 03/04, 03/11, 03/18, 03/25
Sibling Classes
All sibling classes will be held on Tuesdays, from 6:15 - 7:15 PM, in person.
Age group 4-5
Teacher: Christina Nuñez
Dates: 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/25, 03/04, 03/11, 03/18, 03/25
Dates: 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/25, 03/04, 03/11, 03/18, 03/25
Age group 6-8
Teacher: Andrea Vega
Dates: 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/25, 03/04, 03/11, 03/18, 03/25
Dates: 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/25, 03/04, 03/11, 03/18, 03/25
Age group 9-11
Teacher: Vianney Bernal
Dates: 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/25, 03/04, 03/11, 03/18, 03/25
Dates: 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/25, 03/04, 03/11, 03/18, 03/25
CLASS LEVELS
Family Level 1
This is a beginner’s level class designed for family participants age 12 and up with little or no previous knowledge of ASL. This level focuses on the development of communicative skills involving signing comprehension and production that includes: fingerspelling, vocabulary, basic ASL sentence structure, common phrases, and two-way dialogue conversations. Awareness of Deaf culture and community is also included.
Units include the following topics:
Family Level 2
A continuation of Family Level 1, this class focuses more on fingerspelling fluency and reception, vocabulary expansion, extended sentence structure, common everyday phrases, and increased class participation dialogues. Additional topics will be shaped by family requests, as well as ASL rhythm and awareness and class discussion on Deaf culture. Age 12 and up.
Units include ASL grammar including adjectives, adverbs, nouns, and verb as well as the following topics:
Family Immersion Level
This level is designed for family participants who have taken previous ASL classes over time and have developed good receptive and productive fingerspelling skills and a higher level of survival signing skills. In this class, we will:
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- Explore new topics and vocabulary each course offering
- Provide opportunities to develop conversational skills through immersion
- Be flexible and responsive to the level, needs, and interests of families in the course
NOTE: It is common for family members to take Levels 1 and 2 several times before advancing to the Family Immersion Level. Some families go on to take other classes online and at local colleges and universities to increase their fluency and knowledge.
Book: To be determined
Siblings Class
We are thrilled to be offer sibling classes for all children under 12. The design for siblings class is to focus on basic development of communicative skills and vocabulary including favorite hobbies, colors, food, outdoor activities, and much more. We will offer in-person classes that coincide with the family classes.
REGISTRATION & FEES
Books may be purchased when registering for pickup at RSD or ordered online directly through Amazon or the vendor of your choice.
Immediate Family
NO FEE is charged for RSD students' immediate family members (parents, legal guardians, grandparents & siblings) aged 12 and up. RSD assumes the costs for immediate family members.
Extended Family
A fee of $135 per person is charged for extended family members (aunts, uncles, cousins) aged 12 and up.
ASL STORYTIME VIDEOS
Our good friends at RSD's Early Childhood Resource Center have created a beautiful series of storytime videos to share in the joy of reading and ASL with your family.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I pick up my book for class?
Books may be picked up on campus. The location and date for pickup are in the registration section. The book must be paid for in advance with registration.
Rochester School for the Deaf is located at 1545 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY.
What should I bring to class?
Please bring or have available a pen/pencil, pocket folder, writing pad, and the textbook.
What is the refund policy?
No refunds will be issued after the first class. Up until the second class, the enrollment fee may be credited and applied to a future SFA class within the year. No credits or refunds will be issued after the second class.
Is there a minimum enrollment?
Yes. All classes are contingent upon sufficient enrollment. These classes are provided as a service to families and the community.
Next session will start in October.