Summer Symposium Workshops
ASL in Fingerspelling & Numbers
Robyn Martin
In this workshop, participants will learn how to clearly produce and recognize the ASL alphabet and numbers. The workshop will focus on handshapes, palm orientation, movement, clarity, and receptive practice to help improve fluency and confidence. Participants will also practice fingerspelling names, places, and everyday vocabulary, along with using numbers in real-life situations such as age, time, dates, money, and phone numbers. This workshop is designed to strengthen both expressive and receptive ASL skills in an interactive and supportive environment.
Conversational Skills in ASL
Robyn Martin
Conversational Skills in ASL workshop is designed to help participants build confidence and fluency in everyday communication using American Sign Language (ASL). This workshop will focus on developing expressive and receptive skills through interactive activities, partner conversations, and real-life scenarios. Participants will practice maintaining conversations, using appropriate facial expressions and body language, asking and answering questions, turn-taking, and expanding vocabulary and sentence structure. The workshop encourages active participation in a supportive environment to strengthen communication skills and improve overall ASL fluency.
ASL Storytelling
Robbie Martin
This workshop will focus on how to use facial expressions, body movement, classifiers, role shifting, and visual descriptions to create engaging and meaningful stories. Participants will explore storytelling techniques commonly used in Deaf culture while developing confidence in expressive communication. Through interactive activities and guided practice, participants will learn how to bring stories to life, improve their visual language skills, and strengthen their overall ASL fluency in a creative and supportive environment.
ASL Literature
Robbie Martin
Participants will explore various forms of ASL literature, including handshape stories, ABC/123 stories, and visual vernacular. The workshop will focus on the use of facial expressions, rhythm, movement, classifiers, and visual imagery to create meaningful and engaging performances. Through discussion, observation, and practice, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for Deaf cultural expression while strengthening their expressive and receptive ASL skills.
ASL Slangs & Idioms
Heather Nowicki
This workshop will explore how Deaf individuals use informal language, cultural expressions, and non-literal meanings in everyday conversations. Participants will learn the cultural context behind various ASL slangs and idioms while developing a better understanding of natural and conversational signing. Through interactive activities, discussions, and practice, participants will improve their receptive and expressive skills, gain insight into Deaf culture, and build confidence in understanding and using authentic ASL communication.
Multiple Sign Meanings
Heather Nowicki
Participants will explore commonly used signs with multiple interpretations and learn strategies for identifying meaning through conversation and situational context. The workshop will focus on improving receptive and expressive skills while building confidence in understanding natural ASL communication. Through interactive activities, examples, and guided practice, participants will strengthen their vocabulary knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of ASL structure and meaning.