The first permanent school for the deaf opened in Hartford, CT on April 15th in 1817. Today, it is in West Hartford and is called the American School for the Deaf. At the founding of that school, the new language we now call American Sign Language – ASL was really born. Old French Sign Language, brought by Laurent Clerc, first teacher of the deaf in America, combined with Old American Sign Language and Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language to form our modern ASL. It was the birth of Deaf education in America and the birth of the Deaf community.
Welcome to the American Sign Language Academy
American Sign Language is the fourth most used language in the United States. It is an AMERICAN language, not a foreign one. It was developed by Deaf Americans.
There are many signed languages in the world, organized into language groups, as spoken languages are. ASL is in the language family with French and Vietnamese sign languages. It has no connection to British Sign Language.
ASL Academy is a language school whose programs are designed to bring students all the way to fluency. Our teaching approach builds progressive skills to allow you to reach that goal. We take the shortest route to putting information into your long-term memory.
The development of this approach is from the study of brain physiology, first and second language acquisition, long and short-term memory function, and many years of experience teaching students of all ages and abilities.
Our program is thorough and complete. It is affordable. It is flexible, allowing students to progress at their own rate. The course descriptions page provides details.
If you want more information, please contact us. We are committed to your success!
ASL Academy 400 Reservoir Ave, suite 2J Providence, RI 02907
Office Language Lab lending library Evening and weekend classes, Institutes, Immersions and workshops.
ASL Academy 2845 Post Road, Warwick
Evening and weekend classes, Institutes, Immersions and workshops.
Call 401 722-1022 or email mannyteach2011@yahoo.com
For information on specific courses or workshops, click on those pages.
