Why the "no-voice" policy for ASL class....
You may have noticed that we don't talk in class. What's up with that?? Is the teacher being rude? Ignoring you? No, not at all. The best way to learn ASL is to use ASL. (Sounds crazy, right? :)
I look forward to engaging you in an ASL-only environment and sharing the values and history of ASL and the people who use it. ASL is a precious language that is sacred to the Deaf community. It's an honor to teach it and if any member of the Deaf community came in for a class visit (which they do often! smile) they should have full access to everything happening in the classroom. This is their language... it's important to remember that we are visitors in their culture when we step into the ASL classroom.
As a hearing student, at first you might find this overwhelming, confusing, and even frustrating at times. Think about this for a moment..... everywhere else outside of our classroom walls is a "hearing" world. To approach you, a Deaf person must adjust and figure out how to meet your communication needs-- almost all Deaf people do this daily with grace and patience for those who are "signing-impaired."
I will teach you ways to advocate for yourselves at the beginning of the year-- how to ask for repetition, to sign slower, to inform me that you don't understand, etc. As an ASL student, you have the responsibility to monitor your comprehension and advocate when you need me to adjust to fit your needs. I'm happy to accommodate. Know that every lesson will be full of visuals and interaction for all to participate.
Finally, the three videos posted here are created by members of the Deaf community. The first is a "spoof" created by college students to highlight some of the "no-no's" of being in an ASL classroom. The second is a candid video to express how precious ASL is to the Deaf community. The third is an ASL professor who is witty in her explanation of what makes a good ASL teacher and how students should behave in an ASL classroom. Try to watch them with an open mind and apply in our next ASL class together.
Sincerely,
Nelson
I look forward to engaging you in an ASL-only environment and sharing the values and history of ASL and the people who use it. ASL is a precious language that is sacred to the Deaf community. It's an honor to teach it and if any member of the Deaf community came in for a class visit (which they do often! smile) they should have full access to everything happening in the classroom. This is their language... it's important to remember that we are visitors in their culture when we step into the ASL classroom.
As a hearing student, at first you might find this overwhelming, confusing, and even frustrating at times. Think about this for a moment..... everywhere else outside of our classroom walls is a "hearing" world. To approach you, a Deaf person must adjust and figure out how to meet your communication needs-- almost all Deaf people do this daily with grace and patience for those who are "signing-impaired."
I will teach you ways to advocate for yourselves at the beginning of the year-- how to ask for repetition, to sign slower, to inform me that you don't understand, etc. As an ASL student, you have the responsibility to monitor your comprehension and advocate when you need me to adjust to fit your needs. I'm happy to accommodate. Know that every lesson will be full of visuals and interaction for all to participate.
Finally, the three videos posted here are created by members of the Deaf community. The first is a "spoof" created by college students to highlight some of the "no-no's" of being in an ASL classroom. The second is a candid video to express how precious ASL is to the Deaf community. The third is an ASL professor who is witty in her explanation of what makes a good ASL teacher and how students should behave in an ASL classroom. Try to watch them with an open mind and apply in our next ASL class together.
Sincerely,
Nelson
