Teaching American Sign

Language
By: Abril Quintana
Project Outline
This semester I wanted to get involved in a different types
of fields in interpreting. I wanted to try a different field.
One of these options was to try teaching Sign Language.
When it comes to teaching Sign Language you can either
be a teacher or a tutor.

The Family Guidance Center. They needed an interpreter

though I didnt have a certificate to be an interpreter.
Instead, the staff offered that I could teach them
American Sign Language every Friday at 1-2.
Project Research
I used many sources and help in this project. First, I had no
experience in teaching at all especially to a room filled
with adults. They expected me to teach the format of a
college class, which includes a syllabus, lecture, exams,
and activities. I was really nervous but I looked at the
teachers examples at the college and at the high school. I
looked at their syllabus and how they taught as an Sources Used:
example. This has proven to be extremely helpful.
-Interview with Adam Coles
-Website: "The 6 Key Qualities of a
Good Interpreter."
-Website: "Top 15."
-Video: A Few Minutes In The Life of A
Sign Language Interpreter.
Career in American Sign Language
This project has really helped me to see what kind of field in interpreting I want to get into. This
project has given me a real life experience if I went into the educational field. For example, if I
became a teacher in Sign Language I could either teach Sign Language to a high school or college.
Another option is that I could be an interpreter for a group or one child at school. Lastly, I could
be a tutor. Some parents ask interpreters for additional help for their kids in homework and pay
for the extra hours.

This project helped me see if I were to teach at a high school or college. Also, if I were to be a tutor
for a hearing person, I would follow the same format.
Steps of the Classes
1. Alphabet

2. Introduction Vocabulary

3. Medical Vocabulary

4. Vocabulary

(Months, Days, Weeks, Numbers)

5. Final Exam
Agenda/Lessons
I have organized lessons and agendas for the classes and it was more important to have a more
organization since we had some Fridays cut off because of the holidays. The agenda of every
lesson was to review what we learned last week, learn new vocabulary and then practice it as a
group. I didnt only make agendas I needed to make power points with the signs and upload
videos on how to sign it. I emailed very week on what was the homework and the new vocabulary
on their lists.

Power Points:

Medical Terms:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Q2df5tFQreazPpPMImER
6xw03-hL7yhssF9X6XJFJ9Q/edit#slide=id.p

Youtube Medical Terms:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gKQ6ivOb5BpOuAy3APS
uH_ICU89IHwrws5Va8aRGki4/edit#slide=id.p
Experience
This was an amazing experience, I really enjoyed it. It really helped me to
evaluate on what I want to do in the future. I also made some new friends at
the Maui Family Guidance Center. They also offered to help me in my
internship next semester. This has benefited me in giving me contacts with
other organizations that need help with American Sign Language.
Challenges
-Some challenges I faced is that I needed to learn how to become a teacher. I
needed to learn how to teach effectively, make sure they understand the
lesson, being organized, answer their questions. I thought being a teacher
would be easy but it was a lot harder than I though.

-Another challenge I faced was juggling with time and assignments. It was
difficult to balance the classes and school. This was difficult because I
needed to make time to be able to teach the classes and to make the youtube
videos for them.
Thank You!
Whats Next?
-The Family Guidance Center offered to help me to find an internship with
their organization or with another. They also gave me a list of interpreters
contacts who are in different fields of interpreting. This was to help me to
see what kind of field I would be interested in and to have someone elses
example to copy.