Copy-cat - this techniques means mirroring the native signer (speaker) exactly what they demonstrate.
We usually break it down to one sentence at a time.
Following that, we apply technique Three-Times --- we repeat practicing the sentence three times - sometimes three times more if one is struggling to get all the nuances of details mastered. After this then I'll often sign, "Your Turn!" You're then to apply "Baby Babble" technique which means even if you're not feeling 100% sure or doubtful of your ability to express this new sentence - you're to dive in 101% and give it your best shot. To most of my ASL student's delightful surprise, they managed to get 95% of the grammar structure correct! Willem and I have been working very hard to come up with fluid techniques to make real learning efficient and actually fun.
We've been also experimenting a lot of repeating the exact same story - such as describing his house using ASL classifiers every time we meet in order to refine small details. Willem faithfully uses "Start at the Beginning" technique , which for an outsider appears like we're a broken record that keeps repeating ourselves - however, this is so helpful as already in just merely three weeks, Willem was able to jump from novice to low-advance in using ASL classifiers to describe a room, his house and now his neighborhood from this method alone. This helps him to feel comfortable using familiar setting and since we most of the time meet three times a week - I provide digestible bite-sized feedback to tweak his stories until it's just right without having him feel so overwhelmed.
It's been a fabulous learning journey and I'm so excited to share more Language Hunting techniques with everyone else.
I also thank everyone for your patience as I recover from poisoning of the formaldehyde off gassing from the new furniture that the DVR purchased for me. I learned a painful lesson to never again let anyone convince me to accept toxic new products that emits VOCs. With Hashimoto's and auto-immune - I must be very careful what I let in my home. For now I have to seal my office room with windows open to ventilate. Later will add spider plants and hopefully an air filter to rid the awful chemicals. So, if the background appears different, it's because I have to stay in my living room until the furniture finishes off gassing.
Have a great Fall season everyone!
RaVen Sequoia
ASL Master Tutor
www.ASLmasterTutor.com