Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre, Inc.

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.

Click here for information about our Winter/Spring 2010 schedule.

Don't miss out on when the next classes starts! Click here to email us 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 us or call 610-604-0450 (Voice/TTY).

> General Class Information
> Policies and Procedures
> Class Levels
> Class Registration
> Placement Evaluation
> On-Site Corporate Classes
> Private One-on-One Instruction
> Extracurricular Activities

General Class Information
The non-credit sign language classes are offered as part of Adult Continuing Education Programs at various locations. Check the course schedule.

Policies and Procedures

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: 16 years of age or older
Payment: Payment must be received with registration by the first class and preferably before the class to reserve your seat.

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.

Beginners – We use “Signing Naturally” as our beginner course curriculum to teach American Sign Language (ASL). Units 1 – 6 are divided into 4 levels. More time is spent on understanding the language before expressing it. The “no voice” rule reinforces receptive skills and provides a sense of immersion.

ASL 1: In ASL 1, students interact with their teacher and gain information on language, grammar, comprehension and Deaf Culture. Units cover material including numbers, fingerspelling names, questions, beginning and ending conversations, and identifying a person.

ASL 2: ASL 2 is a continuation and students will continue to learn to understand ASL. Units cover material including commands involving location, basic directions, and lengths of time.

ASL 3: ASL 3 is a continuation and students will continue to learn to understand ASL. Units cover material including information about the family, forming negative responses and relationships.

ASL 4: ASL 4 is the completion of the Signing Naturally Beginner's curriculum. Units give an opportunity for conversations and storytelling. By the end of this course, students should have basic conversational and sign language skills and also greater cultural awareness.

Intermediate – Currently, intermediate level students are continuing the with the previous DHCC curriculum, “Learning American Sign Language” in combination with other material. There is overlap with the naming of the new and old classes. ASL 3 and 4 taught at ET Richardson Middle School are part of the old curriculum.

Advanced – We have no advanced classes at this time.

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 for further information about class registration.

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.

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 email us.

Private One-on-One Instruction
DHCC offers private tutoring depending on the individual's or small 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 email us.

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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.