Community and Customized ASL Classes
DHCC offers community-level sign language classes, private one-on-one instruction and work place classes designed to optimize skills employees would need to communicate with a Deaf co-worker or customer. Our ASL instructors are Deaf and conduct the class in ASL so students learn by the immersion process.

Download our brochure with our community class schedule and offerings for Spring 2008.

Don't miss out on when the next classes starts! Click here to email Dawn Ann Duboski your name and mailing address to be added to our mailing list to receive the next ASL class brochure! If you have any additional questions, please email Dawn Ann or call 610-604-0450 (Voice/TTY).


General Class Information
The non-credit sign language classes for adults are offered at E.T. Richardson Middle School under the Springfield Lions Club Adult Continuing Education Program.

  • Cancellation: DHCC reserves the right to cancel or combine classes due to insufficient enrollment.
  • Refunds: Full refunds will be given prior to the first night of class. No refunds will be given after the first night.
  • Age requirement: Adults 18 years of age or older.

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Class Levels
DHCC has a wide offering of class levels based on your needs and previous experience. Not all classes are offered every semester. Please refer to our community class schedule to see if the course you are interested in is being offered.

  • Beginner I: Learn key principles of American Sign Language (ASL.) Direct student/teacher interaction. Orientation covers DHCC teaching approach, philosophy, and introduction to Deaf culture.
  • Beginner II: Review of Beginner I, increase ASL vocabulary, focus on hand shapes and numbers. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Beginner I or placement evaluation.
  • Beginner III: Review of Beginner II, increase vocabulary, focus on hand shapes and numbers. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Beginner II or placement evaluation.
  • Intermediate I: Review of Beginner III. Further knowledge of ASL grammar, Deaf culture, and vocabulary. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Beginner III or placement evaluation.
  • Intermediate II: Review of Intermediate I. Further knowledge of ASL grammar, Deaf culture, and vocabulary. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Intermediate I or placement evaluation.
  • Intermediate III - Part 1: Review of Intermediate II. Further knowledge of ASL grammar, Deaf culture and vocabulary. Prerequisite: Successful completion of intermediate II or through placement evaluation.
  • Intermediate III – Part 2: Review of Intermediate II and III (Part 1.) Further knowledge of ASL grammar, Deaf culture, and vocabulary. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Intermediate II or placement evaluation.
  • Conversational Skills: For students who possess functional ASL grammatical structure and want to improve on everyday conversational skills. Admission requirement: Teacher referral or successful placement evaluation. Students interested in Conversational Skills should contact DHCC at dawnannd@dhcc.org. If enough students are interested, a class will be scheduled.

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Curriculum
DHCC uses “Learning American Sign Language,” developed by Tom Humphries and Carol Padden, linguistics experts from the University of California at San Diego whose specialty is Deaf communication. Please note that DHCC sells books at the first class or students can purchase them elsewhere before the first class.

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Class Registration
Class size is limited and enrollment is on a first come, first served basis. Register early to guarantee your seat! Please refer to our community class schedule further information about class registration.

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Placement Evaluation
A placement evaluation is required for students from other programs entering any DHCC class other than Beginner I. If you completed a DHCC class more than one year prior to the beginning of this registration you also will need placement evaluation. Please refer to our community class schedule for further information about placement evaluations.

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On-Site Corporate Classes
DHCC offers on-site corporate sign language classes designed to optimize skills employees would need to communicate with a Deaf co-worker or customer. Depending on your need, DHCC can customize your site's needs be it basic sign language, medical, emergency responders etc. For more information and/or to set up ASL classes, please contact Dawn Ann at dawnannd@dhcc.org.

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Private One-on-One Instruction or Group
DHCC offers private tutoring depending on the individual's or group's needs. You can be a student or anyone interested in learning American Sign Language. For more information and/or to set up ASL classes, please contact Dawn Ann at dawnannd@dhcc.org.

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Extracurricular Activities
As part of learning ASL, we encourage our students to attend Deaf functions or join groups where ASL is used. For example, meetup.com has ASL groups that meet once a month. Many of the members are also beginners learning ASL.

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