ASL Classes for the Community
Welcome! Rochester School for the Deaf is pleased to offer American Sign Language (ASL) classes to the community. Are you interested in learning ASL? Whether you are a beginner or want to advance your proficiency in ASL, we'd love to see you in one of our classes!
Rochester has one of the largest Deaf communities in the nation, and learning ASL helps us all participate more fully in all aspects of civic life and allows us to be good neighbors and create a welcoming community. Many individuals choose to take classes with us to help them communicate with friends, clients, patients, family, and coworkers.
We offer three 10-week course sessions per year in fall, winter, and spring.
We also partner with area organizations and businesses to customize courses.
Spring 2026 Classes
In-person community ASL classes will be at Lyon Hall (#015).
Community ASL 1: Tuesdays 6 pm - 8 pm, in person
ASL Teacher: Frank Sankey
Dates: 04/14, 04/21, 04/28, 05/05, 05/12, 05/19, 05/26, 06/02, 06/09, 06/16
ASL Teacher: Frank Sankey
Dates: 04/14, 04/21, 04/28, 05/05, 05/12, 05/19, 05/26, 06/02, 06/09, 06/16
Community ASL 1: Wednesdays 6 pm-8 pm, in person
Teacher: Frank Sankey
Dates: 04/15, 04/22, 04/29, 05/06, 05/13, 05/20, 05/27, 06/03, 06/10, 06/17
Teacher: Frank Sankey
Dates: 04/15, 04/22, 04/29, 05/06, 05/13, 05/20, 05/27, 06/03, 06/10, 06/17
Community ASL 2: Thursdays 6 pm-8 pm, in person
ASL Teacher: Andrea Vega
Dates: 04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11, 06/18
ASL Teacher: Andrea Vega
Dates: 04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11, 06/18
Community ASL 2: Thursday 6 pm-8 pm, on Zoom
ASL Teacher: Michael Gonzalez
Dates: 04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11, 06/18
ASL Teacher: Michael Gonzalez
Dates: 04/16, 04/23, 04/30, 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11, 06/18
Community Children's Beginner (Ages 6-11): Wednesday 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm, in-person class
Teacher: Emma V. Balderas
Date: 04/29, 05/06, 05/13, 05/20, 05/27, 06/03, 06/10, 06/17
Teacher: Emma V. Balderas
Date: 04/29, 05/06, 05/13, 05/20, 05/27, 06/03, 06/10, 06/17
Community Classes follow the curriculum outlined in Signs of the Times by Edgar H. Shroyer. Signs of the Times uses pictures to demonstrate the signs. Using the spiral approach, signs are repeated and build on previously introduced signs and then integrated into sentences. Each lesson also looks at Deaf culture.
Sign up for ASL 1 if you haven't taken any classes before. Lessons 1 - 10 will be covered from the Signs of the Times book.
Sign up for ASL 2 if you have previously taken ASL 1 and you are ready to move on to Lessons 11 - 20 of the Signs of the Times book.
Class Fee: $135, payable at registration
Book Fee: $40 (pickup at RSD required), or you may order it on Amazon.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I pick up my book for class?
What should I bring to class?
What is the refund policy?
Classes for Children - TBD
Is there a minimum enrollment?