In-Person ASL Classes
Learning American Sign Language (ASL) will enable you to have direct, meaningful communication with your child or a deaf person you know. Two different ASL classes are being offered. Read carefully to understand what each class is about and if you are eligible to enroll. Both classes are hosted at the Lied Multipurpose Complex (LMC) on ISD’s campus.
Topical ASL Class (formerly Bobcat Family ASL Class)
Classes are based on topics and there is no correlation between those classes. That means you can choose which topics in ASL you want to learn vocabulary in. You can come to a few classes or all of the classes. There are 15 classes in total during the school year and are mostly every other week on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Be sure to pay attention to the dates. If siblings of a deaf child attend, they should be old enough to be able to sit still during class.
- Sept. 10 – Family
- Sept. 24 – School
- Oct. 15 – Nouns/verbs
- Oct. 22 – Home
- Nov. 5 – Holidays & time/months
- Nov. 19 – Places
- Dec. 10 – Food/clothing
- Jan. 7 – Censored theme (profanity in ASL, adults only)
- Jan. 21 – Technology/arts
- Feb. 4 – Sports
- Feb. 18 – People
- March 4 – Animals/colors
- March 18 – Transportation/environment
- April 1 – Body/medical
- April 22 – Censored theme (sex education signs, adults only)
More information and requirements for Topical ASL Class:
- If you are family member of a deaf child, this class is free for you.
- If you are working in an educational setting with a deaf child in the state of Iowa, you are also welcome to this class for free.
- If you are community member from Iowa or Nebraska who wants to learn ASL, you are also welcome to this class for free if there are enough spots left for you as this is open to families and professionals who work with deaf children first. Register and you will be notified if there is a spot for you.
Level Up! ASL Class (new)
This class will be using the TRUE+WAY ASL curriculum. You will learn how to use ASL to communicate in real-world conversations and situations that are modern in our daily lives. It is a virtual platform where you can get a subscription code to have access to practice on your own in addition to your weekly class. It includes a searchable ASL-English dictionary. There are quizzes and tests available, but not required. Your instructor may use them during class.
Each participant will need to register. You must attend at least 12 out of 15 weeks to receive a certificate of completion and move up to the next level. In the fall, Beginners I and II will be offered and in the spring, Beginners III and IV will be offered. You are required to complete Beginners I and II before registering for Beginners III and IV in the spring. Registration is limited so please do not sign up if you do not intend to attend these sessions. Courses will run on Thursday, 7 – 8 p.m. from Jan. 9 through May 8 for the spring semester. There will be at least a one week break for each semester.
More information and requirements for Level Up! ASL Class:
- If you are a family member of a deaf child who is either a resident of the state of Iowa or ISD student, this class is free for you. You need to commit to attend at least 12 classes per semester.
- If you are working in an educational setting with a deaf child in the state of Iowa, you are also welcome to this class for free. You also need to commit to attend at least 12 classes per semester.
- If you are a family member of a deaf child who is NOT a resident of the state of Iowa or ISD student, you are welcome to this class for $40 per person per year. There will be no refund after you begin the first class. You need to commit to attend at least 12 classes per semester.
- If you are a community member from Iowa or Nebraska who wants to learn ASL, you are also welcome to this class for $40 per person per year. There will be no refund after you begin the first class. The spots are limited and are only open to families first, you will be notified if you have a spot in the class. You need to commit to attend at least 12 classes per semester.
Virtual ASL Classes
Eligibility and course description for virtual ASL classes
For more information, contact Stacey Morgan at stacey.morgan@iaedb.org or videophone: 712.406.0512.