Penn State DuBois to offer ‘Listen with Your Eyes’ sign language course

Penn State DuBois Continuing Education will offer “Listen with Your Eyes: Introduction to American Sign Language” beginning Sept. 29. The course will introduce participants to basic American Sign Language skills and Deaf culture. Credit: Adobe Stock. All Rights Reserved. DuBOIS, Pa. — Penn State DuBois Continuing Education will offer an introductory American Sign Language course this fall for individuals interested in developing basic sign language skills while learning more about Deaf culture. American Sign Language, commonly known as ASL, is a complete, natural language with its own grammar and linguistic structure distinct from English, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, part of the National Institutes of Health. ASL is the primary language of many people who are deaf and hard of hearing in North America and is also used by hearing people. “Listen with Your Eyes: Introduction to American Sign Language” will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 29 through Oct. 29, at Penn State DuBois. The registration fee is $160. Designed for those with little or no previous experience with American Sign Language, the course will introduce participants to finger spelling, conversational phrases and commonly used signs. Participants will also learn about Deaf culture and have opportunities to practice their skills through small-group activities. By the end of the course, participants will work toward recognizing and reproducing 50 to 100 signs, reading and using finger spelling, and communicating at a basic conversational level using American Sign Language. “Learning American Sign Language gives participants an opportunity to develop a practical new skill while also gaining a greater understanding of another language and culture,” said John Brennan, director of Continuing Education at Penn State DuBois and Penn State Altoona. “This course is designed to provide an engaging, supportive environment where participants can learn the fundamentals and build confidence through practice.” The course is approved for Act 48 professional development credit. Participants seeking a certificate of participation must attend all scheduled classes. For more information or to register, visit the “Listen with Your Eyes: Introduction to American Sign Language” course page on the Penn State DuBois website. Questions can be directed to Penn State DuBois Continuing Education at 814-375-4715 or [email protected].