American Sign Language
The online American Sign Language (ASL) courses and certificates teach learners how to effectively communicate in ASL. Students in these courses also learn about the Deaf Community and Deaf culture, resulting in increased cultural and linguistic understanding.
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Overview
Learn About The Online American Sign Language Programs
Purdue University is dedicated to providing comprehensive and interactive curricula for students interested in learning American Sign Language (ASL) as a second language. Purdue’s online ASL courses teach students about ASL by covering five areas: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Community. By immersing themselves in ASL language and grammar and studying Deaf Community and culture, students learn how to become linguistically and culturally competent ASL communicators.
Our online program offers tools for mastering the grammar of ASL to both express and understand the language. This certificate course is ideal for educators, healthcare professionals, social workers, counselors and anyone else seeking to enhance their ability to communicate with the Deaf community, improve inclusivity or broaden their cultural competence. No prior experience or prerequisites are required.
The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.
Program Specifics
More information on courses and faculty can be found at the program website.
For an enriching and comprehensive experience, it is highly recommended that students consider enrolling in the full certificate Foundations of ASL and Deaf Culture, which includes American Sign Language 1, American Sign Language 2, and American Deaf Community. Students can also register for courses ala carte. All ASL offerings include a course content accessibility window of six months after registration. This timeframe ensures that students not only have the flexibility to learn at their own pace but also the freedom to revisit and reinforce their understanding of the material. ASL 1 and 2 cohorts are available every spring and fall semester and dates are announced 4-6 weeks prior to course starts. Below includes course details
ASL 1 – This comprehensive course is meticulously designed to equip students with the essential tools needed to grasp the basics of ASL grammar at both expressive and receptive levels. Through engaging lessons and hands-on activities, students will navigate the intricacies of ASL structure, gaining proficiency in conveying and understanding messages.
ASL 2 – . Students will continue to learn the units of the Signing Naturally curriculum, which uses the “functional-notional” approach where ASL grammatical principles are also emphasized in this course. This method focuses on the communicative purposes or “functions” of social interaction.
American Deaf Community – Designed to introduce students to American Deaf culture and components of the American Deaf community including history, norms, rules of social interactions, values, traditions, and dynamics during the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Educational, social, and political factors unique to the Deaf community will be explored, as well as community organizations, impact of technology, and emerging issues/trends.
Effective Communication Skill Development
This program stands out by not only developing skills in effective communication and storytelling but also uniquely immersing participants in Deaf culture.
Mr. John Borkowski holds a master’s degree in Deaf Secondary Education from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY. He is originally from Buffalo, NY, where he attended St. Mary’s School for the Deaf. Upon high school graduation, he attended Gallaudet University and obtained his Bachelor of Art (BA) majoring in prelaw. He worked as a computer specialist for the U.S. Government before returning to the teaching field. John started his career as a professional K-12 educator. His experience as a secondary social studies teacher spanned over five different deaf schools in New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and DC. John’s first experience in teaching ASL was as a tutor in the Interpreting program at RIT when he was a graduate student. After graduation, he started teaching introductory ASL in the deaf community and local colleges in Indiana such as Ball State University and Indiana University – Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). He then taught various intermediate ASL level courses, including the linguistics, culture, and historical aspects of the Deaf Community. As an ASL instructor for Purdue University, John Borkowski aims to connect people who are interested in learning about the Deaf World, community and culture.
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