Overview
Duration
12 weeks
Tuition
Under $14/hour
Level
Beginner
Prerequisites
None
Class Time
2.5 hours/week
Group Size
4-10 students
Location
ILC, Carmel
Details
Dates:
9/3/26-11/19/26
(End date may change due to class needs)
Time:
Thursdays, 6:30pm-9:00pm
Cost:
$430.00
(Includes $30 one-time enrollment fee. Does not include text books and optional tuition insurance)
What You’ll Learn
Communication: Hold simple conversations, exchange personal info, ask/answer WH- and yes/no questions, and narrate short stories.
Descriptions & Space: Describe people, objects, and basic locations using contrastive structure, listing, and beginner classifiers.
Time & Routines: Use time-first structure to discuss daily activities, past/future events, and simple schedules.
Directions: Ask for and give basic directions using spatial mapping and CL:1/CL:B pathways.
Fingerspelling & Numbers: Produce and understand fingerspelling and sign numbers 1–100 in everyday contexts.
Conversation Repair: Request clarification, negotiate meaning, and manage communication breakdowns visually.
Cultural Competence: Use Deaf-friendly norms for attention, eye gaze, turn-taking, and community interaction.
Weekly Itinerary
Each week includes speaking practice, games, cultural context, and real-world role-plays. You’ll use everything you learn — right away.
Week 1: Greetings, introductions, fingerspelling basics, and visual communication foundations.
Week 2: Yes/no & WH-questions, classroom interaction language, and name-exchange practice.
Week 3: Identifying people/objects and describing simple spatial locations.
Week 4: Describing people and clothing with clear visual detail and contrastive structure.
Week 5: Time signs and daily routine verbs using time-first structure.
Week 6: Scheduling, talking about past/future events, and timeline use.
Week 7: Family vocabulary, relationships, and using listing techniques.
Week 8: Telling simple personal life stories with chronological sequencing.
Week 9: Common activities and giving/understanding basic directions with classifiers.
Week 10: Maintaining everyday conversations and using conversation-repair strategies.
Week 11: Health vocabulary and explaining simple problems or needs.
Week 12: Integrated review, storytelling, conversational assessment, and final presentations.
Meet Your Instructor
Jakota
Languages: American Sign Language
Jakota is a driven and versatile professional currently pursuing an MBA, combining a strong business acumen with a passion for accessibility, education and community engagement. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Industry Studies with minors in American Sign Language (ASL), Deaf Studies and Entrepreneurship, creating a unique foundation that supports his commitment to inclusive leadership and innovation.
With deep personal and professional ties to the Deaf community, including having Deaf family members, Jakota is dedicated to promoting accessibility, cultural awareness, and meaningful communication. During his undergraduate studies, he served as President of the ASL Club and held leadership positions in several student organizations, where he developed skills in team leadership, event planning, advocacy, and community outreach.
As an ASL Instructor, Jakota is excited to share his knowledge and passion for Deaf culture and language with others. He strives to create engaging, inclusive learning environments that foster understanding, connection, and accessibility. By blending his educational background, leadership experience, and entrepreneurial mindset, Jakota is committed to making a positive and lasting impact within the communities he serves.