Community Sign Language Courses

Learn a visual way of communication. Just as you would use your mouth to speak, in Sign Language, you use your hands, body and facial expressions to communicate. The course also provides you with an insight on Deaf people and their culture. The following courses are available for those who are interested to learn sign language and be a friend to the Deaf!

Notice: Since the renovation is still at "touch-up" condition, the courses will commence in March 2004.

Course (for YMCA members only)		Date of Commencement
Combination VGC and Basic Pre-requisite: This course is designed for students who have no previous knowledge of Sign Language. Aim: Students will achieve a comfortable communication level with expressive and receptive sign communication skills. Contents: The course will introduce students to approximately 400--500 vocabulary signs. Fingerspelling and information about the deaf community and the deaf culture will be included.	Duration: 15 sessions (1 1/2 hours each) Day: Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday or Saturday only (Twice per week) Time: 7.00 pm -- 8.30 pm (weekday) / 3.00 pm -- 4.30 pm (Saturday) Cost: RM 250.00 (Textbook included) Class: 10-15 students	7 Feb 2004 (Sat) (confirmed); 9 Feb 2004 (Mon & Wed) (has to be postponed to 16 Feb); 10 Feb 2004 (Tues & Thurs) (has to be postponed to 17 Feb)
Sign Language Course: Level One Pre-requisite: Visual Gestural Communication & Basic Level Aim: This course will further develop signing skills and sign communication for tohse who have shown above average competency in the sign language. Contents: It will focus on registers within a language, code switching, conversational behaviours and exposure to sign variations. Question, commands, fingerspelling drill and simple sentiences structure will be covered. Simple dialogues, short conversations will focus on discussion Deaf culture and detailing descriptions of people and surroundings.	Duration: 15 sessions (2 hours each) Day: weekday or Saturday only (once per week) Time: 7.00 pm -- 9.00 pm (weekday) Cost: RM 200.00 Class: 10-15 students	16 / 17 / 18 / 19 February 2004 (depend on demand) (has to be postponed to 1 / 2 / 3 March 2004)
Sign Language Course: Level Two Pre-requisite: Sign Language Level One Aim: This course is a continuation of Level 1, expanding the exphasis on grammar, syntax, spatial, referencing, and vocabulary development. Contents: It includes discussion of culturally significant topics related to the Deaf community, more complex grammatical features, vocabulary building in context and comprehension and development of medium-length stories, narratives and dialogues.	Duration: 15 sessions (2 hours each) Day: Weekday or Saturday only (Once per week) Time: 7.00 pm -- 9.00 pm (weekday) Cost: RM 220.00 Class: 10-15 students	in March (to be announced)
Sign Language Course: Level Three Pre-requisite: Sign Language Level Two Aim: This course is a continuation of Level Two. Upon completion of this level, students are expected to be able to express self-generated stories, narratives and dialogues without any guidance from instructor. Contents: Comprehensive stories, narratives and discussions of hypothetical issues will be featured. Information on cultural values and attitudes related to the Deaf community will be examined.	Duration: 15 sessions (2 hours each) Day: Weekday or Saturday only (Once per week) Time: 7.00 pm -- 9.00 pm (weekday) Cost: RM 250.00 Class: 10-15 students	in April (to be announced)