From the article: Sign Language Dictionaries Online
How did you learn sign language? Was it through a dictionary online, a sign language book, a sign language class, a friend who taught you, a church class, or a college class? People learn sign language in many different ways.
Share Your Experience
Signing is so much fun!
- I work in a class for children with Autism. We do one on one therapy. All of the children that come in w/ no language we teach simple signs to, like... drink, eat, candy and bathroom. We have found that signs usually lead to speech rather quickly. We got a student a couple of years ago that had no language and she had major behaviors because of not being able to communicate her needs. We of course started signs on the very first day. Immediately we saw a dramatic change in her behavior. Since she still had a difficult time speaking after the first 6 months of using sign we decided to teach her more and more sign. I feel so fortunate having been assigned to her because the school sent me to sign language classes so I could use it all day with her. We are able to do math and reading this year and she can communicate all of her needs. I love sign language mostly because of what it has done for this sweet little girl, it has given her a voice. Not to mention it's fun to use.
- —Guest Phyllis
Easy!
- Hello Recently 2 months ago i was facing a important meeting with a DEAF businessman i was about to discuss a deal with, and i thought to myself that i should learn some ASL and make a good impression on him by having just atleast a basic conversation with him. He had a professional interpreter with him as well but he barely had to step in to help me. After 1 month (1 hour training daily) I was able to communicate with a deaf person. Before I couldnt believe I would actually be able to learn a new language in 1 month but it was easier than I thought! Anyway, the look on his face when he saw I knew ASL was enough to seal the deal ;-) I still haven't mastered it completely but I train every day now just because I enjoy it! If you are curious on how i learned ASL so fast then just check out http://www.americansignedlanguage.com they have a great offer right now too if i remember correctly
- —Guest Jake
let's "talk" in class!
- I started learning ASL in my senior year of high school when my best friend suggested we take a class at a local junior college so we could "talk" in class without getting caught! It sounded like a good idea to me, so we signed up. She dropped out right away, but I became fascinated with ASL and fell in love with the language. After high school, I went to CSUN and took all the sign-related classes offered. Years later, I am an Educational Interpreter and I'm still fascinated with this beautiful language and the people who use it!
- —Guest annie
My Own Sign Language Experience
- I was first exposed to sign language as a result of my mother's job as an oral interpreter. She got to know signing deaf kids, and brought home a sign alphabet card for me. That led to sign books, then a community college course on sign language. However, I didn't really learn sign language until college.
- —Guest Jamie Berke
