Monday, February 22, 2010

Learning is fun!

Even though I am taking this spring semester off to work and just live, I still like to learn new things. I stopped by the library today and picked up a couple of books on Sign Language! I have always wanted to learn it, but have never really felt that I had time to spare! But now, I think I'm ready to try it out! So I'll immerse myself in non-verbal communication for the next few days and see how it works out!

I wish I had a friend close by who could help me learn, because it's always more fun to learn something new if you have a friend backing you up. But I think I'll have fun anyway. I've learnt songs and the alphabet before in sign language, so I hope it'll be easier than not.

Anyway, wish me luck in my new endeavor! Hopefully, I'll expand my horizons and gain new confidence in my learning abilities! Yay!

5 comments:

Dreaming again said...

...ok nothing like giving ol' Pk's a heart attack.
I wish I were closer to you to help ... I'm fluent in sign, have been for 30 years. I used to teach it. I used to interpret ...all before health became an issue.

FIRST rule of learning sign language is NEVER self teach and NEVER especially NEVER self teach from a book.

Sign is 3 demensional, books are 3, there is no way for any, not even the best books to show the signs properly. and many are just plain...bad research with bad signs. (some of the signs in current books my Dad stopped using before he ever started to teach the deaf in 1958!!)

If you want to do this ...go to websites that show sign on video ... Books are for those who already know sign ... we have a great interpreter training program at our school that won't even let the students buy the text books till ASL 3! They are taught the sign, then the chapter is given to them ...AFTER they've been shown the sign in person.

If I can figure it out, I'll get my son to take a video of me signing to music and send it to you.

Anonymous said...

Awh man! I wish I was there to learn with you! I only know a few signs myself, but I'd love to learn more. That's the hardest part about learning another language, having someone to communicate with. Good luck!

JP said...

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm

http://www.lifeprint.com/

Those websites should help. I took an ASL class for first responders and it was great. I would highly recommend taking a class or getting a tutor to make sure you are doing things right. Check with your local Public Health department for First Responder ASL classes (did mine through Boston Med Reserve Corps) and then you are building the med school resume and learning something cool!

Dreaming again said...

I got the video made, and uploaded to my computer, but I can't figure out how to get it emailed

Mary said...

Wow! Thanks for the responses, y'all! And PK- I'm looking forward to the vid, it'll be super cool! Thanks for the tips!

Mandi- yeah, it'd be fun to learn together! I wish I knew someone who lived nearby and was fluent, yaknow? That'd be so much simpler!

JP- Dude, thanks for the sweeeeet links! And I was thinking about classes, so that sounds like it would be perfect! Thanks for the heads up on the first responder class! I'll see if I can find one nearby!