Sign Language Center

Multiple people recommended the SLC to me, and they were spot on. The facility is convenient and easy to get to. The classrooms are clean and comfortable. The amazing teachers are also accomplished professionals in related areas such as the performing arts. I only planned to take an introductory class, but I feel so good about my progress I have decided to continue.

Well organized classes with a lot of material covered. Great instruction! Class sizes are small. All classes taught by deaf.

Sign Language Center is wonderful. I’m just finishing up level three and going to take level four. The teachers there are fantastic! They care about you and how much your learning. They find ways to help you develop sign language skills and learn the language in the best way possible for you. If you’re hoping to learn a new language, this is the place to do it! It’s a wonderful place!

SLC is the number place for ASL learners in NYC, beginners in particular, as they would be amazed at the engaging class dynamics and the welcoming, committed teachers immediately. Every teacher has their unique soulful way to showcase the charm of ASL and share their rich knowledge of Deaf culture: Brian is loving and encouraging, Alan Abrams hilarious and daring, Tanya incredibly expressive and communicative, Sheryl so diligent, precise, and positively demanding, J.W. with profound knowledge of deaf arts, and Robert who is truly an artistic guru… Director Alan Roth organizes the school with vision and passion, which makes SLC an ideal place to hang out and meet new friends with common interests.
I highly recommend it with no reservation.

I am so thankful for Sign Language Center and all it has taught me. I have studied sign language on and off for years, but I never attempted to really learn it until I started at SLC. I have been attending weekly classes for over a year, beginning at Level 1 and am now into my third Conversational course.
Alan Roth and all the teachers are incredible. They are endlessly patient, classes are funny and entertaining, and I have learned so much. (Additionally, their classes are incredibly affordable, especially if you purchase them all upfront.) There is a good balance between learning ASL and also Deaf culture. In addition to class I have visited Gallaudet University on an SLC field trip, attended their monthly social gatherings, and attended a wonderful fingerspelling workshop. Each time I go to class I learn something new and reinforce the skills I have.
I may never become fluent in ASL, but that is not for lack of trying on SLC’s part! For every blunder I make they are always helpful, guiding me to where I need to be! If you have ever considered learning ASL, do yourself a favor and enroll at SLC. You won’t regret it.

I’m now in level 2, and every class I go to makes me want to keep doing more classes! I signed up not having many expectations, just wanting to be able to communicate more effectively with the deaf community with whom I already feel a strong connection (my parents are deaf, but orally educated, so don’t sign). I’ve been blown away by the openness, and warmth of the teachers, so because of them I’m going to do whatever I can to make it to level 6! Highly recommend!

I’ve only finished Level 1 and am on Level 2 now. It’s been super fun. You would think it’s hard to learn when you’re not allowed to use your voice during class. But the silence helps you focus a lot more on what’s going on. This class has made me realize that verbal communication is totally unnecessary in life. In fact, a lot of things are more effectively understood when expressed visually.
The teachers are amazingly patient! I would imagine it could get frustrating to teach a group of students who are so used to communicating in their own language and know very little of your language and culture. But the teachers find the most creative ways to get their point across and sometimes I’m awed by how talented they are at portraying stories.
It’s a bit of a trip for me to get there since I live in Queens, but it always feels worth it by the end of class. I started learning just for fun but the classes inspire me to learn more about Deaf culture and make me want to become fluent in ASL one day.

It seems almost impossible that there is only one place in NYC (other than LaGuardia, but that’s a college so that’s a different story) that teaches ASL — American Sign Language. I was looking for one on Unilocal and there was only 1 review at the time for this place. But then I remembered a conversation with a dear friend years ago when I expressed interest, and it just so happened that he took classes here before and highly recommended it.
If you:
1) want to learn something different
2) want to learn how to sign so you can talk about people in front of them without actually talking
3) want to learn about «deaf culture» (all I can say is WOW! It is totally a completely different culture)
4) want to learn ASL but aren’t looking to earn credits
5) want to be a better person
Then this is for you.
Once a week (2.5 hour classes with a 15-​min break in between) for 6 weeks per level. If you can’t make a class on a certain day, you can ask to make up a class on a different day. *Unless they cancel the class, which actually happened to me… so I lost a class and couldn’t get a refund.
As for the classes — they are fun! We make up skits to learn how to sign without speaking and play lots of games. We go around to answer questions and end up getting to know each other. We laugh through the entire class… it’s pretty much the most fun you can have in a classroom setting.
I can only hope to advance to conversational level one day and be able to communicate fluently and beautifully like everyone here! It truly is a beautiful language. All the teachers are friendly and funny.
I almost didn’t want to write this review because I wanted to keep this place all to myself!

I don’t even know where to begin with the Sign Language Center! All of the teachers, including Alan and Brian are exceptional. I’ve never walked away from a class feeling anything other than pure happiness at my experience. They provide a truly safe and low pressure environment for learning ASL and yet, still challenge you and push you to be your best. I started here at level 2 and now am on my 4^th semester of conversational. Each conversational class teaches me something different and equally valuable, and Alan is great at switching up the teachers to ensure that the students get an array of accents and styles. Don’t go to SLC expecting to just learn a language, go with an open mind and you will walk away with a glimpse into the incredible culture of deaf people.

I can’t say enough about the Sign Language Center. I’ve been telling people about this place even before I started attending classes. This is the best spot to learn sign language in a fun and creative environment. Alan Roth, the guy in charge, is always available to help or answer a question. The teachers at the center are not only great at what they do, but they are a special breed of humans. I have never laughed so much while taking a class! A bunch of my friends went to level 5 and I’ve signed up all the way to conversational. I recently heard that they’re thinking about adding some type of certification once you’ve taken all the levels. If I could, I would give this place 10 stars.