Students will learn receptive and expressive language skills within the context of everyday interaction with others in their home, school, and community environments. Students will learn to ask and answer questions about family, school events and celebrations. They will exchange essential information such as making introductions, leave-taking, getting attention and negotiating the signing environment using appropriate non-manual behaviors (i.e., facial expression, body posture, spatial organization). Students will study the history of American Sign Language and will explore aspects of Deaf culture.
Prerequisites
Students in Arlington Public Schools in grades 7-12 may receive high school world language credit for native language study and for the study of world languages. It is highly recommended that a grade of C or better in the course be earned to continue to the next level. The courses are sequential and a C or better will help set students up for success.
To receive world language credit, the following requirements must be met:
- A transcript verifying a minimum of 140 hours of formal language study for each credit must be submitted.
- The student must have earned a passing grade.
Students seeking the Advanced Studies diploma will meet the world language requirements by completing three years/levels of study in one language or two years of study in each of two languages. Successful completion of each world language course results in one credit toward the Advanced Studies Diploma. Some colleges require the study of world languages to continue in high school. If your student has successfully completed three years of study upon completion of their freshmanyear, be sure to look at the college admissions criteria for the student’s college(s) of choice.
American Sign Language (ASL) meets public Virginia university and community college entrance requirements as a world language. Some out-of-state post-secondary institutions do not recognize ASL as a world language. ASL is not an International Baccalaureate, (IB), language.