Quote:
Originally Posted by brinley
Hello all.
I am a college student and trying to learn ASL. I think I am a serious student and I really want to apply to a interpreter training program this year when I finish my degree. So far I have all A's in my classes, I socialize with Deaf people, and I am really making an effort to learn ASL and Deaf culture. This semester I am having trouble with one teacher who seemed to hate me the first minute he met me.
|
I'm sorry that you're having this problem with your instructor. I wish that you could have resolved this earlier in the semester. It's kind of late now. Not
too late but sooner would have been better.
Despite this instructor's attitude, you are carrying an A average in his class?
Quote:
|
He will ask me a question then tell me I am wrong before I have a chance to even answer. He criticizes me but doesn't offer corrections although he will show other students how to sign something correctly. He just tells me I am wrong. I am afraid to ask questions in class because he rolls his eyes at me. He tells me to "go home" during class, that I am not a good student, and that I am ruining his class even when I am not doing anything wrong. No matter what I do he just hates me. I don't know what to do. I would like to talk to him but in high school when faced with teachers like this, I learned that having a rational conversation with some people is impossible. I think it might piss him off more if I asked him what his problem is.
|
That's pretty bad. I hope you aren't getting too discouraged.
Can you talk to your academic counselor or the department head about the situation?
Quote:
|
I do not play "the race card" but I have noticed that I am the only African American in the pre-interpreter classes at both schools I attend. Could this be a factor in his attitude with me?
|
I sure hope that's not the problem. If a professional is still behaving in a racist manner in this century, I don't know if there's much hope for him.
There is a great demand and recruitment for interpreters "of color" right now. You might be able to get some guidance from other terps who've "been there, done that" at
Welcome to the National Alliance of Black Interpreters, Inc. Online .
You might be the only "brown person" in your class locally but believe me, you're not the only one in the interpreting field, and many of your future clients will be all shades of tan, brown, and black.
It might help if you can find a mentor to help you through this.
Hang in there. If you can make it through this rough spot, you'll be in fine shape to take on the interpreting world.
