Are these good sign language classes?

[DeafBadger]

I have the opportunity to take these sign language classes starting later this month. They are part of a local college's "Enrichment" program (for the general public), meaning that you do not get course credit for it. You pay for it and it's fairly informal, I think. Since I am enrolled in college, I'd like to get course credit for it. But this isn't that kind of class.

Even so, I want to ask the great people of AD what they think about these course descriptions and whether these would be suitable courses to take? Are these 'serious' courses to take or are they sort of 'fluff' courses?

Thanks for your comments.

Beginning Sign Language
Fee: $89 Course: 11LA01
This class is for those that are just curious or for those
interested in educational work or for family. Learn about
deaf culture, background, alphabet, and interpreting. Join
us to start your signing!

Intermediate Sign Language
Fee: $89 Course: 11LA02
Participants will learn intermediate conversational signing
skills through American Sign Language (ASL) and Sign
Exact English (SEE). Deaf culture and communication will
also be discussed.

 

[Sunshine]

Mix SEE ASL? Fluff, I think, but maybe still good vocabulary building.

 

[Jiro]

an epic fail

 

[DeafBadger]

Is it because of the SEE? Or that it doesn't teach enough?

 

[Jiro]

Is it because of the SEE? Or that it doesn't teach enough?

both. $89... wow. I wished my ASL course costs is like that. Mine was $250 but very strong on ASL side and it was taught by deaf professor.

Do you know if the professor of those courses is deaf?

 

[DeafBadger]

both. $89... wow. I wished my ASL course costs is like that. Mine was $250 but very strong on ASL side and it was taught by deaf professor.

Do you know if the professor of those courses is deaf?

I don't know. I doubt it. I don't think it's a college professor. It's someone from the community to teach an "enrichment course".

There's a University about 100 miles away where students go if they want to become HI/Deaf teachers. Maybe I should see what they offer. They might have stronger ASL courses.

 

[Jiro]

I don't know. I doubt it. I don't think it's a college professor. It's someone from the community to teach an "enrichment course".

There's a University about 100 miles away where students go if they want to become HI/Deaf teachers. Maybe I should see what they offer. They might have stronger ASL courses.

I took ASL course at my local community college.

you can call the department and ask if it's being taught by deaf teacher or not.

 

[rebeccalj]

I don't know. I doubt it. I don't think it's a college professor. It's someone from the community to teach an "enrichment course".

There's a University about 100 miles away where students go if they want to become HI/Deaf teachers. Maybe I should see what they offer. They might have stronger ASL courses.

Deaf instructor necessary.

Did you see my post in another thread? He is Deaf and provide online classes. If you will not get credit for 'fluff' course why not take online one?

http://lifeprint.com/

 

[CSign]

I have the opportunity to take these sign language classes starting later this month. They are part of a local college's "Enrichment" program (for the general public), meaning that you do not get course credit for it. You pay for it and it's fairly informal, I think. Since I am enrolled in college, I'd like to get course credit for it. But this isn't that kind of class.

Even so, I want to ask the great people of AD what they think about these course descriptions and whether these would be suitable courses to take? Are these 'serious' courses to take or are they sort of 'fluff' courses?

Thanks for your comments.

I agree with Sunny. The class would probably be good to help build on your vocab. The intermediate class looks like it will involve more signing, but I don't know where you're at in terms of what you know already.

 

[Cheetah]

Personally I would have been confused by the inclusion of SEE. It was critical for me to learn the ASL syntax and grammar together. That's just my 2 cents. I would avoid any classes that include SEE.

 

[CSign]

Personally I would have been confused by the inclusion of SEE. It was critical for me to learn the ASL syntax and grammar together. That's just my 2 cents. I would avoid any classes that include SEE.

Both of those classes look to be very beginner- learning the alphabet and basic signs. The syntax of ASL is important, but those classes both seem to be focusing on the basics. Many of the signs in SEE are the same as ASL, so hopefully if they are teaching true SEE they will also show alternative ASL signs.

We all have to start from somewhere. I get what you're saying Cheetah about the syntax but I kind of doubt they'll be getting too deep into anything.

 

[Reba]

What text books are they using? Who is the instructor?

Mixing ASL and SEE? No way!

Beware of courses that are labeled "sign language" instead of ASL.

The course descriptions are too casual about objectives.

 

[Jiro]

Both of those classes look to be very beginner- learning the alphabet and basic signs. The syntax of ASL is important, but those classes both seem to be focusing on the basics. Many of the signs in SEE are the same as ASL, so hopefully if they are teaching true SEE they will also show alternative ASL signs.

We all have to start from somewhere. I get what you're saying Cheetah about the syntax but I kind of doubt they'll be getting too deep into anything.

um... SEE should never ever be included together with ASL under NO circumstance especially in ASL 101 course. period.

 

[naisho]

Badger, since you are new to SL this is from another thread.. gives better examples of what you are getting into when they are talking about grammar and syntax.

1) English: The boy is deaf.
1) PSE: boy deaf (nod)
1) ASL: boy (point) deaf (nod)

2) English: My mother is hard-of-hearing.
2) PSE: my mother hard-of-hearing
2) ASL: my mother (point) hard-of-hearing

3) English: Please come and sit down.
3) PSE: please come sit
3) ASL: please you-come (point “here”) sit

4) English: Don’t sit on the table.
4) PSE: (shake head) sit table
4) ASL: table (palm down) you (shake head) sit (on the hand)

5) English: The mother, father & children sign.
5) PSE: mother father children (nod) sign
5) ASL: 1 mother 2 father 3 children (nod) sign

6) English: The door is green.
6) PSE: door green
6) ASL door (point) green

7) English: The baby is deaf.
7) PSE: baby (nod) deaf
7) ASL: baby (point) (nod) deaf

8) English: The child stands there.
8) PSE: child stand (point where)
8) ASL: child (point) stand (point where)

9) English: That girl’s name sign is (“O” on chest).
9) PSE: (point) girl name sign (“O” on chest)
9) ASL: girl (point) name sign (“O” on chest)

10) English: We (two) are deaf; she is hearing.
10) PSE: we-two deaf (point) hearing
10) ASL: we-two deaf (point) hearing

11) English: Please sign your name.
11) PSE: please sign your name
11) ASL: please your name sign

12) English: No, she is not my mother.
12) PSE: (shake head) (point) my mother
12) ASL: (shake head) (point) my mother

13) English: Boys sit there; girls sit there.
13) PSE: boy sit (point left) girl sit (point right)
13) ASL: boy sit (point left) girl sit (point right)

14) English: Sit in the blue chair.
14) PSE: sit (point) blue chair
14) ASL: chair blue (point there) (you) sit

15) English: Stand by the orange table.
15) PSE: stand (point) orange table
15) ASL: table orange (palm down there) (you) stand (there)

 

[rebeccalj]

Both of those classes look to be very beginner- learning the alphabet and basic signs. The syntax of ASL is important, but those classes both seem to be focusing on the basics. Many of the signs in SEE are the same as ASL, so hopefully if they are teaching true SEE they will also show alternative ASL signs.

We all have to start from somewhere. I get what you're saying Cheetah about the syntax but I kind of doubt they'll be getting too deep into anything.

You do not learn!!! Good god. You have been here for months and it feels like you know nothing!!

 

[Sunshine]

Why so angry Becca?

 

[rebeccalj]

Why so angry Becca?

Not angry but frustrated. Because want to be heard. Tired of silence. Tired of people not hearing my voice! Tired of life of hearie parent wanting me to be hearie knowing that I am not. Tired of it.

Want other hearie parent to know that they could hurt child if force to be hearie.

I accept myself now that I accept Deaf. *LOVE* myself Deaf. Happy Deaf.

 

[Sunshine]

CSign advocate ASL here though sweetie.

 

[Jiro]

sunny - what's your thought about SEE?

 

[Sunshine]

I think SEE better than no sign language at all...but ASL preferable by far. My parents raise me mostly SEE because they don't know is not same ASL. At school use ASL, at home use SEE. Grateful parents teach SEE, alternative lip reading only. With time machine, I would tell parents learn proper ASL please!

I think point CSign make is classes listed very very basic beginner. This letter a, this b, this sign "hi", etc. Class probably SEE, but if this only thing available, better than nothing! Learn basic vocabulary, how finger spell, etc. Not good same ASL but not hurt. So quick attack CSign...not very nice.