American Sign Language Classes
American Sign Language Classes
Free virtual and in-person American Sign Language Classes (ASL) are offered for those who meet eligibility criteria. There are two semesters of classes which last 12 weeks. The ASL class program is funded in part through the Iowa Department of Education’s Part B program, allowing eligible participants to attend classes at no cost.
For more information, contact Stacey Morgan at stacey.morgan@iaedb.org or 712.406.0512.
Class Eligibility and Information
The following participants may enroll in eligible ASL classes free of charge:
- Parents, guardians, grandparents, relatives or older siblings (teens) of a deaf or hard-of-hearing child (ages birth-21) who resides in Iowa.
- Professionals who work directly with a deaf or hard-of-hearing child (ages birth-21) in an educational setting in Iowa.
Community Participants
- Community participants who are not eligible for Part B funding are welcome to enroll in available ASL classes for $75, which includes access for one academic year. Tuition helps cover instructional materials and access to online curriculum.
Good to know:
- Must have internet and access to Zoom, preferably using a desktop, laptop or tablet.
- Must be able to attend weekly classes. Most classes meet one week night for 12 weeks.
- Taught by native ASL users.
- Registration opens approximately one month before classes begin.
- Please note that some advanced courses have prerequisites or recommended placement levels.
Dates & Registration
Class dates 2026-2027
Fall Semester: Sept. 21 – Dec. 14
(Registration opens Aug. 10, 2026.)
Spring Semester: Jan. 25 – April 19
(Registration opens Dec. 14, 2026.)
ASL Class Offerings
ISD’s ASL class program offers two learning pathways designed to meet the unique needs of different participant groups.
ASL FOUNDATIONS
ASL Foundations is an engaging introductory ASL program designed for hearing children and adults who are interested in learning basic American Sign Language. This program is ideal for individuals who want to communicate with their deaf siblings, classmates, friends, family members or colleagues, as well as community members who wish to learn ASL for personal interest or enrichment.
The program is open to hearing children, parents, grandparents, relatives, paraeducators, secretaries, librarians, community members and anyone interested in developing foundational ASL skills. Instruction focuses on basic vocabulary, fingerspelling, everyday conversation, Deaf culture awareness and practical communication skills through interactive activities, games, stories and real-life scenarios.
ASL PATHWAYS
ASL Pathways is a structured language-learning program designed for hearing parents, guardians, relatives, grandparents, older siblings (teens) and professionals who work with deaf or hard-of-hearing children. The program follows a progressive sequence of courses that allows participants to develop increasingly sophisticated communication skills while building confidence and fluency in American Sign Language.
Participants may progress through multiple levels, from beginner to advanced proficiency, with each course building upon previously acquired language skills. Instruction is grounded in a functional language framework that emphasizes real-world communication in home, school and community settings.
Topics include daily routines, family conversations, behavior expectations, emotional expression, safety protocols, storytelling, school communication and language-rich interactions that support a child’s cognitive, social, emotional and linguistic development. Throughout the program, participants gain practical strategies to increase meaningful communication, strengthen relationships and promote language access for deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
ASL Pathways is offered in both virtual and in-person formats, providing flexible learning opportunities for families and professionals throughout Iowa.
Not sure whether ASL Foundations or ASL Pathways is the best fit? Compare the programs here.
Course Descriptions
We use TRUE+WAY ASL as a virtual 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. Please see the following descriptions for each course level.
ASL FOUNDATIONS
The curriculum combines ASL at Home and Signing Naturally to help participants build practical ASL skills through everyday routines, family interactions and real-life communication experiences. Lessons emphasize visual communication, Deaf culture, fingerspelling, vocabulary development and conversational skills that participants can use in everyday interactions with Deaf children, whether at home, in educational settings or throughout the community.
ASL Foundations I: Introduction to Deaf culture and visual communication, attention-getting strategies and conversational etiquette, fingerspelling and introducing yourself, facial expressions and non-manual signs, mealtime conversations, bath time and personal care, bathroom and hygiene routines, book sharing and early literacy, colors, shapes, describing pictures, bedtime routines, feelings and emotions, family conversations and daily routines
ASL Foundations II: Describing rooms and every day objects, locating people and things, spatial referencing and classifiers, making requests and giving directions, family members and relationships, describing people, playtime and outdoor activities, community places, weather and nature, health, illness, expressing needs, household responsibilities and chores, problem-solving conversations, storytelling and role-playing everyday situations
ASL BEGINNER (Units 1-4)
Beginner I: TRUE+WAY ASL Units 1 and 2 – offered in both fall and spring semesters
Unit 1 – Welcome to the Deaf World! Students will learn basic signs, wh-question signs, yes-no questions, pronouns, possessive pronouns, greetings, feelings & moods, days of the week, opposites and basic cardinal/quantity numbers as well as basic Deaf culture and ASL structures.
Unit 2 – Academics – students will learn signs for schools, choices for Deaf students, class status, things in a classroom, school supplies, school-related actions, noun and verb pairs, colors, different shades of colors, areas of study, majors, college status and numbers (66-99, 100-millions).
Prerequisite: None
Beginner II: TRUE+WAY ASL Units 3 and 4 – offered in both fall and spring semesters
Unit 3 – Family relationships – students will learn how to describe basic appearances by using non-manual markers in ASL, relationship status, family members, siblings (ranking/birth order), ages, pets, activities with pets, employment status, milestones and life events.
Unit 4 – Residences and communities – students will learn how to discuss these topics in ASL: transportation, housing/dwellings, types of buildings, services provided and giving directions. They will also learn signs for cities, states, provinces and neighborhoods.
Prerequisite: Beginner I
ASL INTERMEDIATE (Units 5-8)
Intermediate I: TRUE+WAY ASL Units 5 and 6 – only offered in fall semester
Unit 5 – Scheduling – students will learn how to discuss these topics in ASL: calendar and time, use numeral incorporation for days, weeks, months and years; use non-manual markers when describing time-related topics, holidays/observances, calendar events, errands, reasons and excuses, frequency and daily activities.
Unit 6 – Good times – students will learn how to discuss these topics in ASL: opinions, activity skills, hobbies, interests, collections, sports/recreations, vacations and snack time.
Prerequisite: Beginner II
Intermediate II: TRUE+WAY ASL Units 7 and 8 – only offered in spring semester
Unit 7 – All about food – students will learn ASL vocabulary for fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, seafood, dairy products, packaged goods, canned goods, etc. as well as learn how to describe cuisines and recipes in ASL.
Unit 8 – People among us – students will learn how to discuss ethnicity and ethnic groups in ASL and learn a little about Black ASL and Protactile as well as learn how to describe physical appearances (heights, body types, hair color, hair types, etc.) In addition, students will learn ASL vocabulary for clothing and terms for culture-related, access-related and barrier-related themes.
Prerequisite: Intermediate I
Beginning in Fall 2026, ASL Pathways courses will combine two TRUE+WAY ASL units into each 12-week semester. If you previously completed courses under our former 8-week format, please use the placement guide to determine the appropriate class for continuing your ASL learning. Click here to view the placement guide.
