| Author |
Message |
    
hismom
Citizen
Username: Hismom
Post Number: 415
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 8:37 am: | 
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One of our wonderful neighbors has suddenly lost her hearing and I would like to find a sign language course for both myself & my kids so we can keep communicating. (She does know ASL). Any suggestions? |
Nancy - LibraryLady
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 3344
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 8:40 am: |
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The Adult School has a class. I don't know if the class has started yet, but why don't you contact the Adult School and and least get in touch with the the instructor. Maybe you could get private, group lessons.
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C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 2575
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 8:41 am: |
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I've seen software that you can use to teach yourself. The cool thing is you get to practice any time, day or night. |
Crazy_quilter
Citizen
Username: Crazy_quilter
Post Number: 274
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 8:48 am: |
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how is she learning sign language? ask her and try to use the same teacher. you can look up specific words online. i did small signs class with lil' crazy #2 and learned alot (but it's really for little babies). i also have a neighbor is hearing impaired and she has been teaching me many more signs.
it might be an interesting niche to teach sign language classes for older kids. Lil' crazy #1 can spell things out to me across the room.
do you know the alphabet at least? you can spell anything out that you don't know the sign for.
that's really great that you are willing to work to keep good communication going. |
hismom
Citizen
Username: Hismom
Post Number: 416
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 8:52 am: |
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Oh, the software sounds cool. My son would love that.
The neighbor has had a hearing deficiency for several years and knew this day would come, so her family has learned. I do know a bit from high school (eons ago) but you just don't learn the things you need as an adult in HS.
Crazy Q- maybe your kids can teach mine  (or atleast come visit our new kitten). |
ina
Citizen
Username: Ina
Post Number: 347
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 9:59 am: |
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Your local public library will have books on signing. In addition, there's a NJ library that lends out ASL videos on interlibrary loans. If it isn't the NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped (?), they'll know which it is. |
Joanne G
Citizen
Username: Joanne
Post Number: 73
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 10:37 am: |
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also check out 'signbank' online - it's a fantastic resource that has many other sign languages including Auslan (Australian Signed English), signed International English, signed French, German etc. It's great fun to learn, and can be a wonderful conversation starter.
A few years ago I did a 10-week course in Auslan and learnt the dialects between each State, which is amazing as Aussie spoken English doesn't really have dialects  We conducted the entire 3-hours each week in total silence and included Deaf videos (again, silent) so we could experience the culture. As a result I learnt there are Deaf coffee groups that meet weekly, and a social club that meets for dinner once a month - you may find there are some of these nearby, and you can attend with your neighbour. Remember to have heaps of light falling on your upper body and face, and be very expressive when you sign or speak, as body language is 40% of the grammar/context.
Another easy and modern way to communicate with Deaf is to use texting on your cell phone. You can leave out prepositions and punctuations, use all the abbreviations and emoticons, and some phrases seem to be turned about - that's standard written Deaf English! |
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