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Strategies for Ensuring Effective Classroom Discourse Using ASL

Strategies for Ensuring Effective Classroom Discourse Using ASL

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the major features of the sociolinguistic structure and social uses of American Sign Language in classroom discourse. The main goals of this course are:

  • Provide the foundation in the structures of classroom discourse;
  • Learn how to use appropriate eye gaze, and increase cultural awareness of racial and ethnic diversity in the uses of eye gazes;
  • Identify various interactive styles in classroom settings;
  • Analyze and examine behavioral approaches to classroom management; and
  • Learn about the concept of self-regulations in classroom

There are four major topics and its anthropological and sociolinguistic applications. Part 1 covers an examination of the structure of the physical settings, cultural behaviors, and interactive signals in both spoken and signed discourse in classroom. Part 2 offers insights of cultural differences in the use of eye gaze in daily interactions and how these eye behaviors may (does not) help regulating classroom teaching effectively. Part 3 identifies various interactive styles especially turn-taking strategies in classroom settings in terms of visual readiness, getting-attention devices, maintaining and relinquishing classroom discussions, using different structures for question and answer activities, and handling interruptions. It will provide a comparison between two structures of turn-taking systems between classroom discourse and other types of discourse (e.g., conversations). Part 4 discusses behavior approaches (e.g., self-regulations) such as topic and role shifts, functions of space in ASL, including an examination of ASL prepositions and its verbs and the uses of props and interpreters.


Class Number: PST 370

Tuition: $185 (1 credit); $663 (1 graduate credit)

Prerequisites: Must have successfully completed ASLIII or equivalent.

RID CMP: Professional, Introductory, 1.5 CEUs

Course Materials: A CD with ASL discourse and additional readings will be provided in class along with a copy of Powerpoint notes of all lectures.

Instructor: Susan Mather

Questions: professionalstudies@gallaudet.edu

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