Grades:           9-12

Credit:            One

Prerequisite:  Level 2 or equivalency test

Course Description

Students continue to develop and refine their proficiency in American Sign Language. They communicate using more complex language structures on a variety of topics, moving from concrete to more abstract concepts. At this level, students add vocabulary and idiomatic expressions in the context of everyday interactions and social relationships. Students gain a deeper understanding of the world around them while studying Rights and Responsibilities, Future Plans and Choices, Teen Culture, Environment, and Humanities.

This course’s primary goals, aligned with Virginia and national standards, are to:

•Communicate in American Sign Language

Students function in a variety of practical settings using signed communication as well
as non-manual gestures and knowledge of Deaf culture.

•Understand other cultures

Students demonstrate an understanding of traditions, customs, beliefs, and cultural
contributions and how these elements relate to language.

•Connect with other disciplines and acquire information

Students connect information about the language and cultures they are learning with
concepts studied in other subject areas.

•Develop insight into their own language and culture

Through study of language and culture, students recognize, compare, and contrast
language concepts as well as cultural perspectives, practices, and products.

•Participate in the global community

Students use signed communication to communicate with people within the Deaf
community (Deaf and Hard of Hearing), to improve their own communication skills and
to enhance their view of themselves as citizens of the world.

Each topic addressed in the Program of Studies has progress indicators defining what
students will be able to do. For example, under the theme Future Plans and Choices,
the topic Educational Plans specifies that students will be able to discuss courses of
study, long-range education and career goals, and educational system in the United
States. Essential vocabulary and language structures are presented to students within
the context of the themes and topics.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has developed and uses the Performance
Assessment for Language Students (PALS) program. Performance assessments are
conducted routinely throughout the year and are rated using PALS criteria (rubrics)
developed by FCPS foreign language teachers. The end-of-year assessment again
uses the PALS performance criteria.

For additional information, including resources for students, see the FCPS Foreign
Language Home Page at: http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OHSICS/forlang/.