DuBOIS, Pa. — Continuing and Community Education at Penn State DuBois is preparing to offer both introduction and advanced American Sign Language in the fall. Registration is now open for both courses.

Introduction to American Sign Language, “Listen with Your Eyes,” aims to achieve the goal of teaching finger spelling, conversational phrases, and a variety of commonly used signs. The class will include introducing students to Deaf culture and a variety of websites for independent learning. Students will be introduced to the concept of "what does it look like?" as an approach to learning this language in comparison to learning a spoken language and how words sound. Class structure will include small-group centers for practicing and improving skills.

This class will take place at Penn State DuBois on Tuesdays and Thursdays between Oct. 15 and Nov. 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. A full list of dates for the class is available on the class website. This class is ACT 48 approved, and students must attend all classes to qualify for a certificate of participation. The registration fee for this class is $160.

Advanced American Sign Language, “Listen with Your Eyes II,” is an intermediate class that has been designed to help students who have already taken the introductory class or those with some level of knowledge of American Sign Language looking to increase their communication and conversational skills. Building upon their existing knowledge, students will work in small groups and participate in role-playing exercises that will expand their level of understanding of the concept of “what does it look like?” Students also will be asked to develop an independent study project that will help them when working in a social service situation involving clients who use American Sign Language as their means of communication.

This class will take place at Penn State DuBois on Tuesdays and Thursdays between Nov. 19 and Dec. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. A full list of dates for the class is available on the class website. This class is ACT 48 approved, and students must attend all classes to qualify for a certificate of participation. The registration fee for this class is $100.

Those interested in registering for either classes can do so online through the class website. To ask questions or to request further information, contact John Brennan, director of continuing and community education at Penn State DuBois.

Continuing and Community Education at Penn State DuBois is a bridge between Penn State resources and our partners, including business and industry, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and state and federal agencies. Our programs cover manufacturing and quality, engineering, human and health services, food service, computer and electronics, construction, professional and business services and more.