News

Adult Community Education Classes Announced for Spring 2010

January 17, 2010

It takes years to become fluent in any language, whether spoken or signed, and requires a commitment to practice, study, and immersion into the culture to master a foreign language.

Learning American Sign Language is in essence learning a foreign language because the grammar and syntax of ASL differ from that of written and spoken English.

Hearing Bridges’ primary purpose in offering Basic Conversational ASL classes is to encourage and nurture the community’s interest in American Sign Language, the Deaf community, and Deaf culture. Hearing Bridges classes are designed to give people a general knowledge of ASL and Deaf culture in order to be able to carry on basic conversations. Our classes are NOT designed to serve as an interpreter training program. A person who is interested in interpreting might want to begin by taking our classes but will need to move on to an accredited degree program at a university or college then sit for the national certification exams.

See the Community Classes page for registration informaiton.

Level One Conversational American Sign Language

Level One is an introduction to ASL grammar and vocabulary, Deaf culture, equipment and devices. This class covers the first half of the book.

Davidson County Thursday Mornings
10am - 12pm
10-week session
Once per week Feb. 18 – April 29 (no class on 3/18)

Davidson County Thursday Evenings
6pm - 8pm
10-week session
Once per week Feb. 18 – April 29 (no class on 3/18)

Rutherford County Thursday Evenings
6pm - 8pm
10-week session
Once per week Feb. 18- April 29 (no class on 3/25)

Williamsom County Tuesday Evenings
6pm - 8pm
10-week session
Once per week Feb. 16 – April 27 (no class on 4/6)

Level Two Conversational American Sign Language

Level Two is a continuation of ASL grammar and vocabulary, Deaf culture, and conversation practice. This class covers the second half of the book.

Davidson County Tuesday Evenings
5:30pm - 7:30pm
10-week session
Once per week Feb. 16- April 27 (no classes 3/16)

Davidson County Friday Mornings
10am - 12pm
10-week session
Once per week Feb 19- May 14 (no class on 3/19, 4/12)

Rutherford County Monday Evenings
6pm - 8pm
10-week session
Once per week Feb. 22- May 3 (no classes on 3/22)

Speechreading

Formerly known as lip reading, speechreading is a form of communication used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have a hearing loss but do not use ASL. It incorporates much more than watching a person’s mouth and lips.

Davidson County Wednesday Mornings
10am - 11am
10-week session
Once per week Feb. 17 – April 28 (no class on 3/17)

For more information about payment and class locations down the flier.