Over the years I've noticed a pattern amongst a lot of new ASL students - there is a tendency to wait until the last minute to cram important, complicated ASL linguistic concepts before exams. I understand that sometimes there are no skilled professional ASL Tutor available in some locations - however, now with technology with a high speed computer and a web-cam or a VP-200 - learning ASL (with me for example) is now just a click away. Take advantage of what is available for you while you're investing a lot of time, energy, and money in mastering ASL for whatever career that requires fluent ASL skills or for your own personal interest.
Some students are worried that they cannot understand me in a one dimensional flat LCD screen - realize that if you ever want to become an ASL interpreter - there may be a great chance, especially for free lance types, that you'll end up working at a Video Relay Service - that requires staring at a flat screen eight hours a day. Secondly, most Deaf people now converse solely on videophones - you'll need to be adaptable of different avenues in watching ASL. It's a great push, plus, in advancing your receptive skills in understanding ASL (of any level) from a novice level into a superior level listener. It's also a great tell sign that if you can fluently watch ASL on a flat screen, you're advancing yourself to notice subtle movements that only high-advanced signer tend to grasp.
I strongly urge all ASL students, as soon you begin to feel overwhelmed in your ASL class - come immediately to get ASL tutoring lessons with me and be able to commit to at least one semester's worth in order to catch up with all that you need to learn in order synchronize multitude concepts in, and especially for advanced ASL. The more you put off getting the extra help you need, the more you'll suffer needlessly in the long term.
For some ASL students, they feel taking ASL lessons is too expensive. I need to remind you that I have a high success rate of, of course with your full cooperation, teaching many short cuts that will speed your understanding the patterns of ASL, which pays off quickly before the term is over in getting you the A grade you must have for SLIP or skills you, perhaps need to pass the ASLPI interviews. Instead of wasting few semesters taking classes over and over that does not pinpoint areas that you need to fully understand - ASL tutoring will zero in all you need to master that often times burnt out overwhelmed ASL teachers cannot give you the time or energy for every individuals needing individualized help. What you put in, is a wise investment that pays off later in your career that requires you to be FLUENT in ASL. Consider the salary ASL interpreters makes:
Experience and Credentials for an ASL Interpreter:
Understandably, the more skilled and experienced an interpreter is, the higher the pay. Someone just beginning may earn $15 per hour, whereas an experienced interpreter may earn as much as $50 or more. Experienced interpreters with relevant credentials also earn more than interpreters without those credentials. Location and Demand A sign language interpreter working in an area where her particular skills are in high demand will usually earn more than an interpreter working in an area with low demand. For example, the average salary of an interpreter in a high-demand location can be around $45,000, whereas interpreters in low-demand areas may earn $10,000.
Read more: How Much Do Sign Language Interpreters Get Paid? | eHow.comhttp://www.ehow.com/facts_6940428_much-sign-language-interpreters-paid_.html#ixzz11gSOVlcF
Keep in mind, the longer you put off receiving much needed ASL tutoring to catch up - the higher your stress load impact will influence your classroom performances, tests and confidence. Cramming is no way to learn - you can't ever pretend to be fluent in a language and then expect to pass a qualifying exam if you don't know what you're doing.
This is especially true for a lot of students with learning difference challenges - ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, dyscalcia, dimensional perception challenge, etc. ASL tutoring is a safe, private place for you to catch up - mistakes are encouraged in order to learn from them here without ridicule. Too many times a lot of students who have heard about me but shied away for a year or so, when they finally did come around, often tell me "Why didn't I come to see you a long time ago?" The extra boost will go far if you let it happen.
Ideally, any students learning any foreign language need to dedicate at least four hours per week in becoming familiar with its grammar rules, spelling, pronunciation, accent, etc. Face to face interaction with a native signer is the best role model one can imitate from. Keep in mind, also, that one can only learn so much from staring at videos for so many hours without actual interaction with a culturally Deaf natural signer. There are subtle clues that only a trained Deaf ASL tutor can point out to you that most non-signers never exposed to ASL or Deaf Culture will miss out completely.
Lastly, if you notice any of your ASL classmates struggling in frustration in an ASL class or finger-talking class - do not tutor them --- it's okay to study together with at least one native Deaf signer. It's best to refer them to a professional certified ASL tutor with a lot of training under hir belt. I've seen so many ASL students with novice skills teaching many wrong signs or misconceptions to their peers and then for many semesters - they all repeat their erroneous ways which leads to fossilizing bad habits that are hard to shake off.
I've also seen some impatient advanced students or a person studying ASL for years bullying another. Tutoring requires a lot of patience and most people do not have the energy nor desire to slow down to the pace of a novice learner. Plus, if you refer an ASL student (or anyone interested in learning) to me, you'll get a sweet deal as I offer $5.00 discount to your next lesson!
So, all in all, realize the many benefits of hiring a professional Deaf ASL tutor with many years of experience and expertise to teach you all that you need to learn about ASL that you may have missed out or not understood from an ASL class.
Take care of Happy Hallow's Eve everyone!
Some students are worried that they cannot understand me in a one dimensional flat LCD screen - realize that if you ever want to become an ASL interpreter - there may be a great chance, especially for free lance types, that you'll end up working at a Video Relay Service - that requires staring at a flat screen eight hours a day. Secondly, most Deaf people now converse solely on videophones - you'll need to be adaptable of different avenues in watching ASL. It's a great push, plus, in advancing your receptive skills in understanding ASL (of any level) from a novice level into a superior level listener. It's also a great tell sign that if you can fluently watch ASL on a flat screen, you're advancing yourself to notice subtle movements that only high-advanced signer tend to grasp.
I strongly urge all ASL students, as soon you begin to feel overwhelmed in your ASL class - come immediately to get ASL tutoring lessons with me and be able to commit to at least one semester's worth in order to catch up with all that you need to learn in order synchronize multitude concepts in, and especially for advanced ASL. The more you put off getting the extra help you need, the more you'll suffer needlessly in the long term.
For some ASL students, they feel taking ASL lessons is too expensive. I need to remind you that I have a high success rate of, of course with your full cooperation, teaching many short cuts that will speed your understanding the patterns of ASL, which pays off quickly before the term is over in getting you the A grade you must have for SLIP or skills you, perhaps need to pass the ASLPI interviews. Instead of wasting few semesters taking classes over and over that does not pinpoint areas that you need to fully understand - ASL tutoring will zero in all you need to master that often times burnt out overwhelmed ASL teachers cannot give you the time or energy for every individuals needing individualized help. What you put in, is a wise investment that pays off later in your career that requires you to be FLUENT in ASL. Consider the salary ASL interpreters makes:
Experience and Credentials for an ASL Interpreter:
Keep in mind, the longer you put off receiving much needed ASL tutoring to catch up - the higher your stress load impact will influence your classroom performances, tests and confidence. Cramming is no way to learn - you can't ever pretend to be fluent in a language and then expect to pass a qualifying exam if you don't know what you're doing.
This is especially true for a lot of students with learning difference challenges - ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, dyscalcia, dimensional perception challenge, etc. ASL tutoring is a safe, private place for you to catch up - mistakes are encouraged in order to learn from them here without ridicule. Too many times a lot of students who have heard about me but shied away for a year or so, when they finally did come around, often tell me "Why didn't I come to see you a long time ago?" The extra boost will go far if you let it happen.
Ideally, any students learning any foreign language need to dedicate at least four hours per week in becoming familiar with its grammar rules, spelling, pronunciation, accent, etc. Face to face interaction with a native signer is the best role model one can imitate from. Keep in mind, also, that one can only learn so much from staring at videos for so many hours without actual interaction with a culturally Deaf natural signer. There are subtle clues that only a trained Deaf ASL tutor can point out to you that most non-signers never exposed to ASL or Deaf Culture will miss out completely.
Lastly, if you notice any of your ASL classmates struggling in frustration in an ASL class or finger-talking class - do not tutor them --- it's okay to study together with at least one native Deaf signer. It's best to refer them to a professional certified ASL tutor with a lot of training under hir belt. I've seen so many ASL students with novice skills teaching many wrong signs or misconceptions to their peers and then for many semesters - they all repeat their erroneous ways which leads to fossilizing bad habits that are hard to shake off.
I've also seen some impatient advanced students or a person studying ASL for years bullying another. Tutoring requires a lot of patience and most people do not have the energy nor desire to slow down to the pace of a novice learner. Plus, if you refer an ASL student (or anyone interested in learning) to me, you'll get a sweet deal as I offer $5.00 discount to your next lesson!
So, all in all, realize the many benefits of hiring a professional Deaf ASL tutor with many years of experience and expertise to teach you all that you need to learn about ASL that you may have missed out or not understood from an ASL class.
Take care of Happy Hallow's Eve everyone!
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