Reflection

I have noticed a difference this year in my own signing experience. I have gone from student to teacher ( in some ways at least) in working with this years ASL classes. I am no longer a student trying to learn a new language, but to someone who has experience and an understanding, someone students come to for help and for growth. I do not know everything there is about ASL- not even close. My basic vocabulary is still growing, I am still trying to grasp the use of classifiers and how there is a very big difference in grammar from English to ASL.

When I started learning Sign language, it was mostly to have another language other than Spanish or French. I started ASL knowing how to sign the ABC's and Number's- that's about it. There was way more things about ASL I never knew. My first official year of ASL, I had a hearing teacher.  Wow. That's pretty much all I can say. I learned many signs and that's about it. There was no real instruction on sentence structure; barely any signing in class ( the most signing I saw was during a test or quiz), and I learned nothing about the Deaf culture or community. I was blind to what I was missing out.
I just wanted to get a good grade.

Then I started my second year of the ASL classes.

 Oh boy!

I had heard we had gotten a new teacher that year, and  that he was Deaf! First thought in my mind was; how was he going to teach? What communication barriers were there going to be? Then I thought about how much I truly knew; and when the first class started I was completely lost ( and I had a huge head ache too.)

It is interesting to look back to last Fall 2011 when I started ASL-200 level with Carl and compare my knowledge and understanding of ASL from then to now. BIG difference. There is still some things I miss, many signs I still do not know ( or forgot) and tons of things I still need to learn.

My goal for working with the ASL classes this year is to further my understanding of ASL and to help the new students learn an amzaing langauge that should be given more credit than it gets.
Working with Carl has taught me more than just a new language. I have learned self confidence and feel proud of my self for how far I have came since my first day. My eyes have been opened to the discrimination of the Deaf ( Audism); I have even seen it first hand and was sickened by how many people who are deaf are treated.

This class teaches you more than just another language.
It introduces you to a new culture and community, to a new family and new friends, and a new experience that will change the way you may view certain things.

Keep your mind open for the many possibilities that this language offers a person.
Good luck,
Kerystenn

Hello

Hi! I am the ASL tutor this year at Clackamas Community College. I also work in class with students to help further their understanding with ASL. I am currently studying to major in Nursing and also in American Sign  Language Interpretation. I am here to help anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of the language. If you have questions go ahead and ask away!
~Kerystenn