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Adult Sign Language Classes

2010 - 2011 School Year

Two people hand signing
Learning opportunities

Adult sign language classes at Perkins are offered twice a year, during the fall and spring. All classes are taught in Signed English and meet once a week for two hours. Twelve-week sessions begin mid-September and are repeated again beginning late January. Classes are open to the community and anyone age 16 or over may register for a class. Tuition is $50. All classes are taught in Signed English and meet once a week for twelve sessions.

There are no classes during the Perkins school vacation weeks in February and April.

Fall 2010 classes will begin the week of September 20. A full schedule will be posted in early September.

Call 617-924-3444, ext. 8317 for more information. 

We typically offer two levels of sign language courses:

Level One

Signed English: large group class conducted in voice and sign language with a strong emphasis on expressive skills.

  • Approximately 500 word basic vocabulary
  • The manual alphabet
  • Numbers 1-20
  • Ability to read and fingerspell words up to 5 letters at a slow pace
  • Ability to expressively communicate in sign language and fingerspelling a short story up to 5 sentences.
  • Ability to obtain the main idea from a signed sequence of 3-4 sentences.

Level Two

Signed English: large group class conducted in voice and sign language with a strong emphasis on receptive skills.

  • Approximately (additional) 500 word vocabulary
  • Fluency with the manual alphabet
  • Numbers 1-100
  • Ability to fingerspell words comfortably
  • Ability to expressively communicate a paragraph in sign language and fingerspelling
  • Ability to obtain the main idea from a signed story and answer specific questions about the story

Prerequisites:  Successful completion of Level One or equivalent