About a year ago, I hired a tutor and was all set to go to town on Vista’s Signing Naturally. This was radically cheaper than going to community college in Northern Virginia. And meant that I was going to be enrolled in two different schools taking classes in the evenings and weekends while working two jobs. That seemed nuts.
My tutor flaked and then I just got busy and that means I got to about chapter 2.
Fast forward to all hands on deck hearing is deteriorating rapidly. And I rethought this ignoring ASL thing. It seemed like not only something that would be good to know. It might help me feel a little in control. Set me up better for future school or work. All around benefit-me enrichment. So yay.
I realized this summer that Gallaudet offers ASL classes for a fraction of what they cost at community college in Northern Virginia (as a DC-resident like I am, I pay out of state tuition). But they were in the evenings and I work in Virginia and it all seemed like more headache then it was worth. Plus perhaps I’m a little scared.
Enter online ASL classes. I’m trying out (and have paid for 2 levels of courses) at SigningOnline.com which is sort of like the kind of foreign language instruction you get if you want to travel to Italy on Holiday. It’s the Berlitz of ASL. The sign for “cool” is in the first lesson. No worries, I still have the other book and tape. So I’ll be like Madison in Mermaid I’ll teach myself ASL by watching videos.
And yes, I absolutely realize this is not a realistic strategy. But I will at least get my feet wet, right? And later can take on some serious study. If I decide it helps. I’m just taking the scenic route. I should actually be studying now. It’s taken me a week to do one lesson. Thankfully I’ve learned the sign for “boring.”
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15 September 2007 at 18:52
I have also used online learning as a supplement
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/
http://aslpro.com/
It’s not as fun as the class that I am in, being taught by a deaf instructor.
15 September 2007 at 22:39
A language takes a long time to learn. Don’t stress about how long it takes you. Fluency takes anywhere from seven to twelve years. Don’t worry about it, it’ll come to you if you want it to. Take some time out and go to Deaf socials. You’ll really enjoy what you learned.
16 September 2007 at 8:12
You can always tell when someone taught themselves sign language … they always point their G and H in the wrong direction because that’s what manual alphabet charts do.