JennJenn

Hey everyone

So basically, I'm hearing (my whole family is) but I decided I want to learn ASL because I have known how to fingerspell since I was a kid (they had diagrams in the back of my children's dictionary ) and I know BASIC, BASIC asl...so why not expand my vocabulary. Colleges also enjoy it if you have a second language...so yeah.

My teacher is deaf...which threw me off at first because I was thinking, "How do you learn from a deaf teacher" but so far it's going really well. He had an interpreter come in for the first hour to do introductions and stuff, so that was helpful, and when he's teaching by himself he basically writes words on the board, points to them, then signs them. He'll then sign something and have us go up to the board and point to the word or phrase he signed.

Has anyone else had a deaf ASL teacher and found it difficult? I think so far it should be okay. He seems to have been doing this for a long time, and he wrote "RELAX, NO PRESSURE" on the board like a thousand times, so I think he gets that it's confusing for us.

I think this is going to be one class in school that I have to pay attention to. haha. I'm only 16 by the way. 11th grade...and I'm taking ASL once a week at night school.



Jennifer

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Bottesini

What an exciting time in your life!! I am so happy you found you could learn from a deaf teacher!

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It's a joke Nathan!

dogmom

JennJenn, yes really exciting, I think you are lucky that you can take it in high school now!
My tutor-turned-friend is Deaf and for a couple of years I have been learning from her, took some ASL in college but was taught by hearing man; I think the learning is better when taught by Deaf
Good Luck!

KSUASL1214

I am currently enrolled at a college where my major is ASL. I am in ASL 5. My first ASL 1 professor was Deaf and the rest of them have been Deaf as well. Then again who can teach you better than someone who is Deaf and part of the Deaf community? Needless to say I have enjoyed taking classes with Deaf Professors and to tell you the truth those are the professors I am actually more inclined to go and talk to if I have problems.

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Before communicating with a person, think about what you are going to say.

deafannieboo

Jen i am late deafened myself and rely on lip reading. i just started asl1 as well. the difference for me is that i already can sign some. im not fluent though and wanted to learn the correct way to sign instead of S.E.E. my instructor is deaf as well. i actually enjoy it greatly! i dont have much prob understanding her though. shes very creative with games and such to help us learn. dont get frustrated or give up, it may be a little challenging because ur not use to the Deaf environment but u will get the hang of it in no time! keep it up and have fun!! everyone is there for the same reason so do be intimidated or shy and just go with it!

Hutt5asl

Hi Jen! I also am hearing, have known the manual alphabet since I was a young girl (it was in the back of a book about Helen Keller) and have now decided to learn more.

I'm looking into taking college classes, or maybe starting with online classes via webcam, then moving up to college classes. I have to start with what I can afford. I'd love to eventually go into interpreting.

As far as having a Deaf teacher, I think that's the best option (if you have an option. lol) They would be the best at teaching you about the Deaf community, etc. as well as teaching you ASL. I say stick with it! You'll benefit greatly from it!

I wish I had decided to do this when I was your age...

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Lauren

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KristinaB

I would think it would be fantastic to learn from a deaf instructor. You are so lucky to be doing this at a young age.

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KRISTINAB