Teaching ASL

Overview of TASL 

These additional courses meet the requirements by the Colorado Department of Education to teach in K-12 settings. You will obtain your Colorado teaching license at the end of this program which may be accepted by other states.

Specifics of TASL

• Course Delivery & Cost

  Summer Semesters

  Your courses will be hybrid.

   

  Half Online & Half In-Person

  Fall & Spring Semesters

  Your courses will be online.

   

  All Online

  All of your courses will be structured with assignments and due dates. Canvas is UNC's learning management system and is the main way you will access course content. Visit Extended Campus to learn more about the technical requirements of an online program.  

  The in-person part of TASL is required. The summer residential session establishes a foundation of knowledge and skills that you will build upon in the following semesters.

  Visit Extended Campus for tuition costs. 

• Course Sequencing

  As a TASL student, you will complete the required courses in the following sequence.

  Complete an Online Orientation
  
  3 weeks in May-June

  1st Semester - Summer
  Mandatory residential session

  TASL 501
  First and Second Language Acquisition in ASL (3 credits)

  TASL 505
  Teaching Deaf Community, Culture, and ASL Literature (3)

  If you select TASL with Licensure, you will also take

  

  EDF 500
  Conceptions of Schooling (3)

  2nd Semester - Fall

  TASL 502
  ASL Teaching Methods (3 credits)

  TASL 503
  ASL Assessment and Testing (3)

  

  EDSE 511 Learning Environments and Cultural Considerations (3)

  3rd Semester - Spring

  TASL 511
  ASL Linguistics (3 credits)

  TASL 593
  Practicum for ASL Teaching I (3)

  

  ECLD 523
  Academic Language / Literacy Development for Diverse Learners in School Settings (3)

  4th Semester - Summer
  Mandatory residential session

  TASL 504
  ASL Curriculum Development and Design (3 credits)

  TASL 506
  Contemporary Professional Issues in Teaching ASL (3)

  

  PSY 500
  Educational Psychology for Teachers (3)

  5th Semester - Fall

  TASL 600
  ASL Graduate Research (3 credits)

  TASL 594
  Practicum for ASL Teaching II (3)

  Any changes to the typical course study will come from the TASL advisor.  

• Summer Residential Session

  As a TASL student, you will take a six week hybrid semester each summer.

  

  Begin courses online

  

  Continue courses on UNC campus

  3 week residential session
  Typically in July
  Classes on weekdays (8:00-5:00)
  Daily & weekend assignments

  

  Finish courses online

  You will be provided information (i.e., dates, room, dining, etc.) to plan your residential session each summer. 

  The Summer Residential Session housing costs approximately $1,300 for students who stay in UNC's residence halls. Meals are an additional cost. Meal plans can be purchased.

  The summer session creates a community of Deaf and hearing students from the ASL-English Interpretation and TASL programs. 

• Practicum Experience

  During your TASL program, you will be required to complete two practicum experiences to receive your degree.

  Practicum I - Observing

  During TASL 593
  3rd Semester (Spring)

  MA Degree = 300 hours

  MA: World Language Licensure Degree = 400 hours
  (200+ hours in K-12 settings)

  Practicum II - Teaching

  During TASL 594
  5th Semester (Fall)

  MA Degree = 300 hours

  MA: World Language Licensure Degree = 400 hours
  (200+ hours in K-12 settings)

  You should anticipate your practicum site might require you to submit a criminal background check.  

  You are responsible for locating and securing the two practicum experience in your local area.

  If a local practicum experience is unavailable, the TASL program will support and assist you in finding local practicum experiences. 

  When you and the TASL program cannot locate a practicum experience in your local area, you may need to travel or relocate.

  You are responsible for expenses you may incur, including but not limited to travel, room and board, meals, personal expenses, and so on.  

  The ASLIS Department does offer practicum experiences at the Greeley campus only for face-to-face courses (if available). 

• Language of Instruction

  TASL uses a bilingual approach. Course content uses different modes of communication (ASL, PSE, and written English) by Deaf and hearing instructors through different forms of media.

   

  Therefore, you must be proficient in ASL (native or near-native user) prior to applying.

• Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA)

  Two paid graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) positions are available to TASL students: Language Assistant and Summer Student Ambassador.

  Language Assistant

  Application period is summer with the Language Assistant position starting in the fall.

  Qualifications

  • Experience teaching or tutoring ASL and ability to effectively work with undergraduate ASL students.
  • Know or able to learn Google Drive/Docs, SharePoint, Microsoft Outlook Calendar, Teams, and Zoom.

  Duties

  • Tutor ASL I-IV students, take students attendance, and attend monthly staff meetings.
  • Communicate with Language Assistant Coordinator and Course Instructors, carry out lesson plans provided by the instructors.

  Hours Per Week
  Fall & Spring

  Stipend

  Tuition

  5 hours per week

  • 1 hour of prep
  • 4 hours of tutoring

  $3,587

  $3,905.16
  (up to 3 credits per year)

  10 hours per week

  $7,174

  $6,508.60
  (up to 5 credits per year)

  15 hours per week

  $10,761

  $6,508.60
  (up to 5 credits per year)

  20 hours per week

  $14,348

  $13,017.20
  (up to 10 credits per year)

  I'm ready to apply!

  Summer Student Ambassador

  Application period is spring with the Summer Student Ambassador position starting in the summer.

  Qualifications

  • Great communication and people skills, strong leadership, and a good planner.
  • Critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving.
  • Strong conflict-resolution skills.

  Duties

  • Attend summer planning meetings during spring and communicate with TASL coordinator.
  • Host summer orientation, assist incoordination of guest speakers, and lead activities.
  • Help with campus check-in on the Sunday prior to summer session.
  • Lead campus tour.

  Hours Per Week
  Spring & Summer

  Stipend

  Tuition

  Total of 28 hours

  • 8 hours total for all-day orientation and campus tour
  • Up to 10 hours summer planning and attend biweekly meetings
  • Up to 8 hours helping with checking and moving in the dorm

  $1,000

  $1,836
  (up to 3 credits per year)

  I'm ready to apply!

  GTA Process:

  Apply Online

  

  Coming Soon - Application for a GTA position.
  Let your personality shine in the essay portion.

  Application deadlines: Emailed by TASL Coordinator 

  Zoom Interview

  

  30-minute interview to show why
  you are a good fit for the position.

  Professional attire requested.

  If hired...

  GTA Training via Zoom

  

  45-minute mandatory training
  to help you learn about your duties, work schedule, payroll, and to ask questions

• TASL Outcomes & ASLTA Certification

  Upon graduation, you will be prepared to teach ASL

  In a variety of roles

  ASL instructor
  Tutor
  Specialist

  To varying age groups

  Elementary
  Secondary
  Post-secondary

  In a variety of settings

  Deaf studies programs
  Interpreter education programs
  Standalone language courses

  American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) is a professional organization with a mission to perpetuate, preserve, and promote ASL and Deaf Culture through excellence in teaching. ASLTA has recognized TASL's defined exit competencies which ensure graduates have acquired the pedagogical framework to teach ASL as a foreign/modern language in numerous settings.

  A Memorandum of Agreement has been ratified between ASLTA, UNC, and the TASL program.

  As a TASL graduate, you will receive a 1-year free complimentary membership as a certified ASLTA member. There is an approximately $22 processing fee to issue your certificate. 

Apply to the TASL Program