MTSU Sign Language Classes

It's truly amazing that we can communicate just by using our hands! Add different facial expressions, and you have a conversation—the language used by Deaf people. 

In this course, you'll discover how to use this graceful, expressive language to communicate. You'll begin with an introduction to the language itself, and learn to create the signs for numbers. You'll also master the sign alphabet so you can fingerspell proper names. Then you'll learn to sign phrases and expand to complete sentences, and see how to put it all together so you can introduce yourself and start a conversation. 

Along the way you'll learn signs for colors, numbers, where you live, family, and the activities you like to do and even the ones you don't. Throughout, you'll learn by watching videos that demonstrate how to make the signs and how to incorporate facial expressions to communicate in this beautiful language. This course is taught using the best practices of the industry with a minimum of audio support. Throughout, you'll be immersed in silence, so you'll gain an understanding of the perspective of Deaf people and sign language. You'll also gain an introduction to the world of the Deaf culture and explore topics such as lipreading, baby signs, and the career of interpreting. By the end of the course, when you meet a Deaf person, you'll be ready to sign! 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: 
Erin Trimble Erin, CT, EIPA K-12, MAIS, holds a B.S. degree in American Sign Language/English Interpreting from William Woods University and a M.A. in Interpreting Studies degree from Western Oregon University. Erin has been professionally interpreting since 2003 across a variety of settings including education, community, and medical. She has been both a staff interpreter and a freelance interpreter, and has worked primarily in rural settings.