My daughter is in high school. She would like to be a teacher of blind and/or deaf students. Where (in Alabama?) would she go to learn this? Is ASL a certificated course you take for a year or two? Is it part of a bachelor degree of a special ed major? Any recommendations? Thanks, Connie
Believe or not ASL is still not recognized as a foreign language in all states yet. Chances are if your state recognizes it, then you'll start seeing local school district adding ASL to their curriculum. (Probably major cities only.) I know the trouble our district has is finding certified teachers of ASL. It can't be people who are fluent in ASL, teachers of the deaf, interpreters, deaf people themselves... must be a certified teacher with a degree in ASL - and that is the trick.
You didn't say what grade of high school so keep in mind that things may change in a year or two. Here, our state dep't has now added a job description for ASL teachers, and now our state colleges are adding curriculum to meet the demand.
If your daughter is getting interested in this field - she's probably learning about various signing methods. You will see classes for SEE (Signing Exact English), perhaps PSE (Pidgin Signed English) and then ASL (American Sign Language). Keep in mind that ASL is its own langauge. Other sign systems work off the English spoken/written language. Again, it depends on your district whether they utilize ASL or SEE.
Looking for sign classes: First, check with your school district. Depending on the size of your district, it might be offered at another school in same district that your daughter can open-enroll. Also, depending on your district, if a local district has a high school that teaches, perhaps she'd be allow to do last period at that school or something. (We allow our kids to do this with vocational training classes.) Check community colleges, rec centers, churches with a deaf ministry, libraries for help in locating a class or two. There are lots of books and videos/DVDs out there but there's nothing like learning it in person directly. Also check into how far you live from the state school for the deaf & blind. Volunteering there would be an awesome experience.
Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. has some great summer ASL classes for high schoolers. In a couple of months they should have their summer brochures available.
As far as wanting to be a teacher of the deaf-blind. This is a separate field of learning in college. Different than special ed, deaf education, or visually impaired. She will need to do some research and find those colleges that have a program for this. Depending on where she wants to live and teach will depend upon if she needs a Bachelors or Masters. (My state requires a Masters degree.)
Another thought about choosing colleges - really do your research. Some colleges follow the oral method of deaf education and you won't find ASL in their curriculum. Some colleges might have deaf/blind under "severe needs". It's helpful if you look up the State Department of Education to see what they call the job title / certification name so you can ask the college "will this program prepare me to get xyz certification?"
Deaf/blind is considered a "low incidence exceptionality". Many colleges have a teacher education program but this is a speciality area. It just might mean your daughter might need to go to an out of state college to get this degree. I know tuition is higher but do check around. There could be scholarships out there for these "hard to fill" positions. She could do her 2 year of core curriculum (math, English, etc) at a local community college and then transfer out of state for the last 2 years for her speciality. She could very well get a scholarship for a Masters if she does well in undergrad. Some districts will even offer to pay with her promise to work in their district for 3-5 years or so. It's a great, rewarding career. I wish her well.
Another 2 bits of information to take or leave ... I would suggest that your daughter get a dual certificate in undergrad (elementary ed and ___ ) or perhaps undergrad in deaf ed, masters in deaf/blind. Both degrees in deaf/blind will limit her to just that. You never know what the future holds. She might marry and a job requires her husband to move, change districts and even change states. It's helpful to have "fall-back" qualifications to use while her dream job opens up.
tahnks for your time in reading such a long post! Hopefully, it's been helpful.
On 12/04/07, Connie wrote: > My daughter is in high school. She would like to be a > teacher of blind and/or deaf students. Where (in Alabama?) > would she go to learn this? Is ASL a certificated course > you take for a year or two? Is it part of a bachelor degree > of a special ed major? Any recommendations? > Thanks, > Connie
Ironically, ASL has been offered in our local middle school for many years (that provided my own intro to ASL over 20 years ago), but it is NOT offered in local high schools, colleges, or universities. Look around at community organizations and nearby schools (even middle schools), if she is looking for an introduction to ASL that she can take while still in high school. For the university-level work, as the other poster said, she's likely to need to go much further from home.
I am interested in becoming a sign language interpreter. The career sites indicate that there will be jobs available, but I am having trouble finding any in New Hampshire. Does anyone know of jobs that are available in the southern NH or Northern MA area for a person with a BA and certification in ASL interpretation? Thanks, Karen
If you are interested, we ALWAYS need interpreters in good 'ol Michigan!!!! We are in dire need of them. So, if you ever need work here--by all means--you will get one! Good Luck!
On 12/30/07, karen wrote: > I am interested in becoming a sign language interpreter. > The career sites indicate that there will be jobs available, > but I am having trouble finding any in New Hampshire. Does > anyone know of jobs that are available in the southern NH or > Northern MA area for a person with a BA and certification in > ASL interpretation? > Thanks, Karen
look up the signing time dvd's! There are some other good signing vieos and print outs but i think "signing time" is the best! also view aslpro.com and look at *baby sign language* you local library should have some good stuff but be sure its for kids (also known as: baby sign language)
On Jan. 8th, I'm auditioning to be the "Interpreter" in a production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" - with the hopes the direcetor will like the idea & accept it. I know some signing & have taught myself 3 of the 21 verses that must be learned (in one day of study). I'm currently using the ASL Browser to find the individual signs I'm looking for. But I'm sure some are incorrect & I want to do this right. Is there someone who would be willing to work with me one on one to learn this show??
I'm in a production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" as the "Interpreter" - to be performed in early April. I know some signing & have been picking out the words only on the ASL Browser to piece together the verses to the show. I don't think I'm doing this correctly & I want to do it right. PEASE HELP!
Hello, My name is Kyle. I'm a senior in high school and extremely interested in a career in this field. I would really love to talk to some people who know about planning to obtain this career and who who also work in the field.
I first learned sign language in 3rd grade. I went to a private church school and they offered sign language as there were deaf people coming to the church. It was a k-12 school and I was the best at it out of all the students! I would interpret the sermons for the preacher and also for sunday school.
I had to move away in 4th grade due to some unfortunate family circumstances, and haven't done much since. But I do remember I was good at it and absolutely enjoyed it.
I've been searching online very much lately to find as much information on thing like college degrees and salaries. Salary is not the most important thing here. But from what I've found online, I should be able to make 15- 45 dollars an hour. Some salary statistics I've found range from $20K-$40K. I'm not sure how accurate this all is.
I was thinking of going to the local community college for my first year or obtaining my associates in special education there, not sure how that would work with interpreting/deaf education. Then transfer out. I'm interested in going to Bloomsburg University or Mount Aloysius College. It seems they have good programs for deaf studies/interpreting and Mount Aloysius also has an internship program.
I would love to talk to anyone who knows about the career field!!
I will be moving out to the San Fernando/ Simi Valley/ Granada Hills CA area in the fall, and I am looking for places to send my resume. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
How long did it take you to learn to sign. I am beginning to think I am one who simply can't learn it. I don't remember the signs I learn in class and can't read them at all. Are there any good sites you have found for practice? Are there some people who simply can't learn sign? I think I have tin fingers.
Signing is a language, whether you are learning ASL or PSE or any variant. It's a spatial language as well, with subtle nuances of body language and facial expression that go along with the signs themselves.
Some people pick it up quickly and sign with near-native fluency. Others, just as smart in terms of IQ, never quite get it, no matter how hard they study and how many study groups they have.
It sounds as if learning and retaining sign language is a difficulty for you. You probably have gifts and skills in other areas.
I am searching for a teach with ASL and Technical/IT experience to teach K-12 graders entry level Computer knowledge using sign language in South Carolina. Please contact me ASAP - Anne Niles 803-806-8100 ext 126 [email removed]
Believe or not ASL is still not recognized as a foreign
language in all states yet. Chances are if your state
recognizes it, then you'll start seeing local school
district adding ASL to their curriculum. (Probably major
cities only.) I know the trouble our district has is finding
certified teachers of AS...See More