You can learn a new language in the New Year for free here in West Seattle.
A 12-week course in American Sign Language starts January 9th, 6-7 pm Tuesdays at the West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW). All are welcome, and you are welcome to join at any time – no registration required, just show up. Here’s the flyer showing which topics are being taught “through creative games” during the sessions.
I’m hoping that teacher(s) is/are deaf to ASL. If it’s hearing teacher. Don’t take it because it’s my/our ASL language and offend our deaf culture and hearing does teach wrong signs. Deaf teachers know and teach by our heart and our experiences
OK School for the Deaf offers free ASL classes taught by a Deaf teacher.
Ok if the teacher isn’t deaf and you are telling people not to take ANY class, free or otherwise, from a hearing teacher, then you forfiet the right to complain about the hearing population not making an effort to learn ASL.
Just because they’re hearing, should NOT “disqualify” them. 2 decades ago, I learned from a HEARING instructor, that also taught at a school for the Deaf.
Are you kidding? So anyone hearing is not allowed to learn asl so they can communicate with you? They care enough to learn but that’s not good enough if they aren’t hearing impaired to teach it? Anyone can teach it if they care enough to try.
I know for a fact they will not want to be called or label “hearing impaired” it is always been use deaf and hard of hearing. That is an example as a hearing teacher correcting deaf what words or sign to use. Hearing teachers should never express their own opinion on what’s right for the deaf community
That’s ridiculous! They express their opinions on us all the time. Can you say hypocritical?…No, if we have an opinion we will most definitely express it otherwise learning never happens. Just try to be respectful. I mean, seriously??? We should NEVER express our opinions? What kind of fascist thinking is that???
As someone hearing who’s practiced a little ASL, I’ve only been shown incorrect signs from other hearing people, and I have actually used those signs in conversation at work with Deaf people, making them more confused. I wouldn’t say all hearing people should be disqualified, but I definitely know I don’t practice ASL enough to confidently tell someone my signs are 100% correct.
Meanwhile, I bet they’re grateful to communicate with you without using their phone ink pad or writing back and forth. Always ask ASL teacher background. It’s not impolite to do that. Sometimes they truly dont know much or get second hand information but hearing teachers with degrees and mannnnnny classes under their belt shouldn’t have to be labeled the same as these “teachers”. Also, Be advised there isn’t just ASL, there’s also other signing systems called PSE, SEE and just because one person doesn’t use it doesn’t make it wrong. Those other ones are mostly used to teach deaf children how to read English. ASL is the official deaf language. And if you get a teacher in the future make sure they know ASL not sign but ASL. Gotta be specific. And ask what their precessional history is.
This is NOT true. It is infact discrimination. Just the other way around. There are a small number of deaf people in America in ratio to hearing people and even less willing to teach ASL for little to no salary, so what’s the public supposed to do?? Not learn sign language at all? We can if we want to. It’s a free country. Put it this way, the deaf community complains that not enough people in America learn sign language to communicate with them but deaf people complain on the daily when a hearing person teaches sign language. What the hell will make y’all happy???…. Just curious.
The teacher of Oklahoma School for the Deaf’s free online ASL classes is Deaf.
Oklahoma School For the Deaf has free on line classes. ASL 1 and ASL 2 will be offered this Spring. They are self paced and free from religious indoctrination.
Gaylee, Thanks for this. Can you post a link or two to your favorite online classes? I’m seeing several and don’t know which is best.
Hello, I am interested in the Indiana Spring classes. Please email me when they are ready. Donettadcasey0038@kctcs.edu
Hi Gayle, religious indoctrination? What do you mean? Thanks.
This class is being put on by the W. Seattle branch of LDS. Not sure that means it will be filled with “indoctrination”, though.
Religious indoctrination? I missed that part. Is clairvoyance a perk of knowing ASL or just assuming where the conversation will lead?
Good morning and Merry Christmas,How would I be able to obtain more information on ASL?
Which sucks because religious songs and signs is exactly what many of us need. Deaf people go to church regularly. For the most part.
Hi I’m hard of hearing and I’m new and I like to learn ASL I know very little is old my mom want me to use my voice that why I know very little Thank you.
I would seek out the nearest Interpreter training program in your area. There should be adequate classes and support for you there. It just depends where you live.
And that goes both ways! Deaf people should be kind to hearing people and hearing people to the deaf. It’s a two way street honey. Hopefully everyone knows that well.
Bella, we don’t all agree with your viewpoint and that’s ok. Responding to several posts with “honey” and other condescending language is not helpful.
Find out more about Oklahoma School for the Deaf’s free online ASL classes: https://courses.osd.k12.ok.us/.
Seattleites will never stop amazing me. Here is a post about ASL volunteers teaching for free what they know. “Don’t go for they will teach you wrong” says one. “Don’t go because they will indoctrinate you” says another. I bet anything all these naysayers have never even been. They are just spreading negative opinions. I am grateful we have this free opportunity in our community. I know of people who drove from other parts of town to attend this class in the Fall. Also, online classes are convenient but differ from in person classes. Yeay for these volunteers and their desire to help the hard of hearing community.
Sorry, comment time is over.
| 30 COMMENTS