I noticed lifeprint.com mentioned a couple of time here on the spot. I have looked at it and it looks great. Question: What is the best way to use the website? DD is dyslexic and I want her to do sign language as her foreign language credit. I can't figure out the best way to use the website as a curriculum. Any Advise form anyone who has used it or will be using it?
Isn't there a series of lessons? I'm pretty sure that when oldest DS used it he went through a series of lessons. I haven't used it with my littles yet.
Not familiar with lifeprint, but if you want to use sign language as a foreign language, you need to make sure you are using AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL), and not some form of Signed English. That involves learning the grammar of ASL, rather than just a bunch of signs.
Life print is ASL There is a self study schedule Make sure to include plenty of deaf culture studies, there are a few good documentaries on the subject. Deaf culture is like no other, especially now that so many could have procedures done to 'cure' them, many choose not to.
Deaf culture is unique in that every other culture is "taught" BY THE PARENTS. Deaf culture, while it CAN be taught by parents, but often times it is taught to Deaf children of hearing parents by other Deaf adults. That is can be very frustrating to the parent who doesn't understand Deaf culture.
Yes!! When I took ASL in college, my professor was deaf. She made us go so much further than just learning signs. We went to a restaurant with her and to a local deaf independent living meeting. My dd14 will be using Lifeprint this fall, but I hope to find some real-life opportunities for her to participate in. I, as well as two of my children are hard of hearing. DS17 has a mild loss and just has routine check-ups for now. DD12 has a moderate loss and has hearing aids. I have a severe to profound loss and getting worse. At my kids' last hearing exam, the ENT suggested that I would be a good candidate for cochlear implants. I am in no way interested!! I just want hearing aids to replace my broken ones, so I can manage without my 14yo having to be my "ears" in some situations!! If lose all of my hearing, I'll manage. I've learned to be much more vocal about needing help. I don't need an unnecessary surgery to "fix" me.
When I was in college taking graduate-level Deaf Ed class, I had a friend in the program that had some hearing loss since childhood, and was slowly losing more. We had one Hearing Impaired prof. Rosie wanted an interpreter for his class, but he talked her out of it. Then he conned another student (who DID have some interpreter training!) to sign the classes for BOTH of them just about every week!!! That other student didn't feel she could say no, but she did complain about it outside of class! From then on, Rosie INSISTED on having the university providing an interpreter! You wouldn't believe how many times I've told hearing people, "It's NOT impolite or anything; that's just the way Deaf are!"
You have no idea how many times I've wanted to tell someone, "hard of hearing does not equal stupid". It's very hurtful to be treated as if your lack of hearing reflects a lack of intelligence. It makes us reluctant to even ask someone to repeat what was said. DD14 has a coach who I almost refuse to talk to because if I ask her to repeat something, she immediately begins to "dumb it down" for me. I just try to communicate by email with her now.
The Deaf have a saying: "I may be Deaf, but I'm not Dumb!" It's even worse for physically handicapped non-verbal people. I've worked with some VERY gifted people that people assume are "vegetables" simply because they are unable to express themselves!
Thanks ladies. I looked further at the website and found the self study schedule and looked at some of the video lessons. One STUPID question, are all the instruction videos silent? DD is dyslexic and reading the slides in the background and watching them sign is going to be a bit of a challenge. She will do better with some verbal input. I was having trouble following the instruction. Besides what is on the slide, you can't tell what else is being communicated between the teacher/student if you haven't learned those signs?????? Any other suggestions?
