Originally Posted by traciedowell

Being an ASL teacher I feel I have a good perspective in this conversation. I have ASL I, II and III students. I have NEVER told my students to attend Deaf events because I think it's a place for people to socialize who know each other and relate to each other. It would be like crashing a wedding you weren't invited to. When I want my students to get "hands on" experience using their ASL skills, I ask my mom to come in to class and sign with the girls. They are usually nervous at first because they have never had a conversation with a Deaf person before but once they get comfortable you can see their confidence increase as well as their signing skills. My mom is a very patient person and when she comes in to my classes, she is accepting that the time spent will be for teaching the students. The difference at a Deaf social event is that those people did not CHOOSE to attend for the purpose of teaching ASL students how to sign better. I agree with Shelly that those events should be off limits to people who just want to better their signing skills. There are other ways to do it successfully.

Yes it is important for ASL students to sharpen their skills and the only way they can do it is by practicing. They just need people willing to take the time to work with them. The important thing is that whoever does it should be a willing participant and not someone who is bothered at a social event. JMO.