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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.

REGISTRATION NOW OPENS

 

Fall 2026 Community ASL Evening Classes

September 15 -17 to Nov 17-19

Make-up class Nov 25 for Nov 11 (Veterans Day)

 

Community ASL classes will be at Lyon Hall (#015)

 

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

ASL Teacher:  Frank Sankey

Dates: 09/15, 09/22, 09/29, 10/06, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27; 11/03, 11/10, 11/17

 

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

Teacher: Frank Sankey

Date: 09/16, 09/23, 09/30; 10/07, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28; 11/04, 11/18, 11/25*

(*11/11 - RSD Closed for Veterans Day; make-up class on 11/25.) 

 

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

ASL Teacher: Andrea Vega 

Date: 09/17, 09/24; 10/01, 10/08, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29; 11/05, 11/12, 11/19

 

Community ASL 2: Thursday 6 pm-8 pm on Virtual (max up to 12) 

ASL Teacher: Michael Gonzalez 

Date:  09/17, 09/24; 10/01, 10/08, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29; 11/05, 11/12, 11/19

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: $45 (pickup at RSD required), or you may order it on Amazon.
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For more information, email: [email protected]

Resources

 
 
Campus Security 
585-737-4004 Text/Cell