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ASL Classes for the Community

icon of a person signed helloWelcome!  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.

Winter 2026 Classes

Registration is open.  Classes will begin the 2nd week of January.
 
Community ASL classes will be at Lyon Hall (#015)
 

Community ASL 1: Tuesdays 6 pm - 8 pm   in person

ASL Teacher:  Frank Sankey

Dates: 01/13, 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, 02/10, 02/24, 03/03, 03/10, 03/17, 03/24


Community ASL 1: Wednesdays 6 pm-8 pm in person

Teacher: Frank Sankey

Date: 01/14, 01/21, 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/25, 03/04, 03/11, 03/18, 03/25


Community ASL 2: Thursdays 6 pm-8 pm in person

ASL Teacher: Andrea Vega 

Date: 01/15, 01/22, 01/29, 02/05, 02/12, 02/26, 03/05, 03/12, 03/19, 03/26


Community ASL 2: Thursday 6 pm-8 pm on Virtual

ASL Teacher: Michael Gonzalez 

Date:  01/15, 01/22, 01/29, 02/05, 02/12, 02/26, 03/05, 03/12, 03/19, 03/26

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.
 

Winter 2026 Classes for Children

New this session will be community ASL classes for children. We are offering two different classes based on age groups.

 

Children aged 6-8 will learn through activities by introducing signs.  Children aged 9-11 will learn simple sentences and activities from the introduced signs. Both classes will follow the curriculum in Signing Fun American Sign Language by Penny Warner.

 

  • Class Length: 1 hour for 8 weeks 
    • Wednesdays, 6-7 pm
    • 01/14, 01/21, 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/25, 03/04, 03/11
  • Class Fee: $75
  • Book Fee: $20 (also available through other sellers)

 

Registration for the childrens' classes is separate from the adult classes. Click here to register a child.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For more information, email: [email protected]

Resources

 
 
Campus Security 
585-737-4004 Text/Cell