American Sign Language

American Sign Language

Department Description: American Sign Language is the third most commonly used language in the United States, behind only English and Spanish. Students taking American Sign Language courses will learn grammar, structure, and syntax of this beautiful language. They will have opportunities to interact with people who are deaf and build a strong basis for learning ASL and using it in their future employment.

Department Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate appropriate class level oral or expressive World Language skills;
  • Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of cultural values, norms and traditions per specific World Language;
  • Demonstrate basic understanding that these differences have an impact on group relationships and interactions;
  • Demonstrate appropriate class level receptive and/or written World Language skills;
  • Demonstrate appropriate cultural rules of interaction when conversing in the target language.

Transfer Opportunities: The second language skills acquired in ASL courses enhance a student’s chance for success in any profession. Students looking beyond a certificate, or considering a future specialization in the field of American Sign Language Interpreting, should know that many institutions offering degrees in Interpreter Training will accept these courses as prerequisites to their programs.

Career Opportunities: The nationwide shortage of qualified ASL Interpreters in the United States is at an all time high and continues to escalate. With the passage of the ADA act, the public is required to make accommodations for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing patrons. Sign Language Interpreters are the most sought after accommodation for D/HH people. Public schools, higher education, health care providers, hospitals, courts, public safety and other government offices are seeing increased demand for qualified ASL Interpreters.

Instructors

Employment Statistics

For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below:

https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
Salary information from indeed.com

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