Virtual American Sign Language Classes
Virtual American Sign Language Classes
Free virtual American Sign Language Classes (ASL) are offered for those who meet eligibility criteria. There are four minimesters of classes which last eight weeks.
For more information, contact Stacey Morgan at stacey.morgan@iaedb.org or 712.406.0512.
Class Eligibility and Information
Are you eligible?
• Must have a deaf or hard-of-hearing family member aged 0-21 who resides in Iowa OR must work with a deaf/hard-of-hearing student in an Iowa educational setting
• Must have internet and access to Zoom, preferably using a desktop, laptop or tablet.
• Must be able to attend weekly classes.
Good to know:
• Most classes meet one weeknight for eight weeks.
• Taught by native ASL users.
• Registration opens approximately one month before classes.
• CEUS are offered for educational audiologists and speech language pathologists.
Dates & Registration
Class dates 2025-2026
First Minimester: Registration open July 25 – Aug 15 | Course is Aug 25 – Oct 13
Second Minimester: Registration open Sept 19 – Oct 17 | Course is Oct 27 – Dec 15
Third Minimester: Registration open Dec 12 – Jan 2 | Course is Jan 12 – Mar 2
Fourth Minimester: Registration open Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Course is Mar 16 – May 4
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.
BEGINNER
Beginner I: TRUE+WAY ASL Unit 1 – only offered first and third minimester
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. Prerequisite: None.
Beginner II: TRUE+WAY ASL Unit 2 – only offered second and fourth minimester
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: Beginner I or ASL 101
Beginner III: TRUE+WAY ASL Unit 3 – only offered in first and third minimester
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. Prerequisite: Beginner II or ASL 102
Beginner IV: TRUE+WAY ASL Unit 4 – only offered in second and fourth minimester
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 III or ASL 103
INTERMEDIATE
Intermediate I: TRUE+WAY ASL Unit 5 – only offered in first and third minimester
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; using non-manual markers when describing time-related topics, holidays/observances, calendar events, errands, reasons and excuses, frequency, daily activities. Prerequisite Beginner IV
Intermediate II: TRUE+WAY ASL Unit 6 – only offered in second and fourth minimester
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 Intermediate I
Intermediate III: TRUE+WAY ASL Unit 7 – only offered in first and third minimester
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. Prerequisite Intermediate II
Intermediate IV: TRUE+WAY ASL Unit 8 – only offered in second and fourth minimester
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 III
ADVANCED
Advanced I: TRUE+WAY ASL Unit 9 – only offered in first and third minimester
My Home. Students will learn how to use proper classifiers to describe the layouts of their homes or other spaces and be able to describe the exterior and interior looks of houses as well as the housework including household problems and repairs. Prerequisite Intermediate IV
Advanced II: TRUE+WAY ASL Unit 10 – only offered in second and fourth minimester
Finances and the Workplace. Students will learn to be able to discuss the workplace, office supplies/equipment, job search process, job skills and activities. In addition, students will learn how to discuss finances in ASL and the following topics that will be covered: income, benefits/deductions, bills/payments, banking, shopping, and major purchases. Prerequisite Advanced I
Advanced III: TRUE+WAY ASL Unit 11 – only offered in first and third minimester
Unit 11: Wellness and Fitness. Students will learn and be able to discuss health-related settings, careers, wellness and nutrition, common illnesses and treatments, and health-related emergencies in ASL. Prerequisite Advanced II
Advanced IV: TRUE+WAY ASL Unit 12 – only offered in second and fourth minimester
Destinations. Students will learn to discuss seasons/weather conditions, natural disasters as well as maps and directions, road trip, and world map/traveling around the world in ASL. Prerequisite Advanced III
