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I don’t think I’ve mentioned it on this blog before, but I’m taking an ASL (American Sign Language) class this semester for fun. I’ve always wanted to learn sign language and when I was in college, I was required to take four semesters of a forgein language. That could include ASL but unfortunately, it wasn’t offered at my university. Instead, you had to take it at the local community college, Coconino Community College, which is only a few miles away from NAU. However, when I started working on my foreign language credits, I didn’t have a car and therefore didn’t have any way to get to CCC back then. So, I took Spanish since I had already taken some of it in high school. I figured at least I would have a small understanding of Spanish going in.
After I was laid-off in 2009, I decided to make the most of it and go back to school. Since I already have my BA, I decided that the community college would suffice my for-fun education. I’ve been taking photography classes, art classes and now I’ve finally decided to delve into something I’ve always wanted to learn- ASL. I’m really stoked about this class because I’ve learned so much about deaf culture and signing. I’m pretty bad at fingerspelling, but I’ve been practicing and hope to be good at it one day. For my ASL class, we have to do four presentations. One of them was with a partner wherein we had a conversation with each other in front of the class. For the rest of them, we have the option to take a video of ourselves, upload it to the internet and send our teacher the link.
Even though I know I messed up in a few places and I know I look dumb throughout the entire video, I still wanted to share with you what I turned in. If you’re fluent in ASL and watch this, please don’t be too harsh with your critiques!
Anyway, the video:
Hi, my name is Michelle. I am hearing. When I was growing up, I spoke English. In high school, I studied Spanish for two years. I forgot most of it. In college, I studied Spanish for two years and remember some of it. Now, I am studying ASL at CCC. It is kind of hard for me. I like three things. The first- photography. The second- camping. The third- yoga. I dislike knitting. The color I most prefer is blue. Nice to meet you!
Hannah Behun - I just saw this. How awesome! You really have learned so many words. I like how you express with your face too while you sign too. haha
Michelle Koechle - Becca – I know, me too! I think it would be so cool to be fluent.
Eunice – Oh that’s cool! At least you know the pledge of allegiance.
Garnet – Haha, those are still good things to know! I didn’t know any of those coming into this class.
Garnet - This is too wonderful! I think it’s great that you are able to learn now. My boyfriend’s sister is in grad school for speech pathology and she knows sign language and I always try to force her to teach me haha. Pretty much all I know is “I love you” “Yes” “No” and “More”
Eunice Brownlee - Oh, this makes me smile. In 3rd grade, we had a student teacher whose foreign language was ASL, so she taught us a few things. The only one I remember is the pledge of allegiance. In Jr. High, my best friend and I chose that as our topic for a competition. We did poorly, but it was highlighted moreso by the deaf kid that also chose that as his topic.
I really hope that you enjoy this class and are able to use it in the future! You never know when it’s going to come in handy!
Becca - You are the cutest thing ever. I have always wanted to learn ASL!