The last couple of months, on Tuesdays, we have gathered with some families from our homeschool group to learn and practice some Christmas songs in different languages. It all started when I decided to sign "Prayer of the Children" for our homeschool group talent show. I don't know why I wanted to be in the talent show. Most of the moms weren't in the talent show, and I wasn't planning on it until a couple hours before the show. But, I really felt like it was something I wanted to share with the group.
The mom who was in charge, Tiffany, was so thrilled that I signed a song. She approached me after the show and asked me to teach the group a song in sign language at her upcoming "languages class." Originally, I'd had every intention of not attending the class because I was already feeling too stretched thin, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share my love of sign language with others.
Originally I was only going to teach "Winter Wonderland." But, after we got started, Tiffany requested I teach a verse of "Silent Night." So, we learned "Silent Night" not only in ASL, but also in German. We've also learned "I Am a Child of God" in Spanish. We plan to sing all of these songs at an assisted living center next week.
As I was teaching "Winter Wonderland" I was able to teach about ASL being a conceptual language. Tiffany wanted to get rid of the directional signing because it would be easier, but another mom and I had to explain that a deaf person would be completely confused if we did that. I got to talk about facial expressions, syntax, and a bunch of other things.
I also started teaching sign language to our small art co-op instead of music. Music was fun and it was great, but I was completely stressed out by it. Sign language is the absolute opposite. I don't really have to plan anything ... I just wake up and decide, "Oh, I guess we'll talk about how to introduce yourself to a deaf person today since we talked about sign names last week." I know I probably should follow some kind of logical method, but this works for me.
And, although I felt really busy in the beginning, I LOVE teaching songs in sign language to others.
Anyway, I am grateful for my introduction to sign language from my mother. She started teaching me when I was young. And, I'm grateful for all of my friends in high school who helped me to draw on my early teaching and yearn for more. I only wish I'd been able to accomplish my goal this year of taking an ASL class. It just didn't happen ... I've become too busy. But, I will make time in the future ... sometime ... to take that class.
The mom who was in charge, Tiffany, was so thrilled that I signed a song. She approached me after the show and asked me to teach the group a song in sign language at her upcoming "languages class." Originally, I'd had every intention of not attending the class because I was already feeling too stretched thin, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share my love of sign language with others.
Originally I was only going to teach "Winter Wonderland." But, after we got started, Tiffany requested I teach a verse of "Silent Night." So, we learned "Silent Night" not only in ASL, but also in German. We've also learned "I Am a Child of God" in Spanish. We plan to sing all of these songs at an assisted living center next week.
As I was teaching "Winter Wonderland" I was able to teach about ASL being a conceptual language. Tiffany wanted to get rid of the directional signing because it would be easier, but another mom and I had to explain that a deaf person would be completely confused if we did that. I got to talk about facial expressions, syntax, and a bunch of other things.
I also started teaching sign language to our small art co-op instead of music. Music was fun and it was great, but I was completely stressed out by it. Sign language is the absolute opposite. I don't really have to plan anything ... I just wake up and decide, "Oh, I guess we'll talk about how to introduce yourself to a deaf person today since we talked about sign names last week." I know I probably should follow some kind of logical method, but this works for me.
And, although I felt really busy in the beginning, I LOVE teaching songs in sign language to others.
Anyway, I am grateful for my introduction to sign language from my mother. She started teaching me when I was young. And, I'm grateful for all of my friends in high school who helped me to draw on my early teaching and yearn for more. I only wish I'd been able to accomplish my goal this year of taking an ASL class. It just didn't happen ... I've become too busy. But, I will make time in the future ... sometime ... to take that class.
Comments
I still remember you signing a song in Seminary and I was soooo moved by it.
I think it's awesome you chose to share your talent with others.