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  4. Try the bookstore. Pick up a copy of the American Sigh Language version. This will give you illustrations on how to form the signs. You will also, need to practice. Get with someone who can help.

    Otherwise, you can take a class at the local Metro College that offers this as a class for beginniners. This is a great way to start and it provides good reinforcement of the language.

  5. there are a few software programs that teach sign language. Also try hooking up with someone in the Deaf community around you. Most of the time they are more than willing to teach you.

    Good Luck!

  6. Here are some ideas:

    -Join a sign language club
    -Visit a deaf club and make some deaf friends
    -Take a class at a community college (community colleges are cheaper than universities).
    -Audit a class at a community college (if you go to the college and tell them you want to AUDIT the class, they will enroll you and you can take the class for free and you only need to participate and attend as often as you want–but you will get no grades and college credit for it.
    -Sometimes free classes are offered at Speech & Hearing Centers, so contact a local hospital, ask where the Speech & Hearing Center is, and ask them if they are offering any sign language courses.

    -There are many types of sign language. You want to take ASL (American Sign Language), rather than SEE or MCE.

    -If you are interested in becoming a sign language interpreter, but can’t afford it, here are some scholarships and grants that help to pay the college tuition for individuals who want to major in interpreting:
    Harper College, Illinois:
    http://www.harpercollege.edu/academ/aels_h/slip/wolf.htm
    California State University,Northridge:
    http://ncod.csun.edu/pdf/Scholarships%20Info%20Packet%202006.pdf
    Western Oregon University (Federally funded full scholarship for all interpreting majors):
    http://www.wou.edu/education/sped/bsi.html
    Columbia College, Chicago:
    http://www.colum.edu/scholarships/PDF/2006/FryzlewiczASL.pdf
    St. Paul College, Minnesota:
    http://www.mcpo.org/pdf/1AppFrm.pdf
    Kent State University, Ohio:
    Several students at Kent State who are studying Deaf education are having their tuition covered by a grant. Contact the deaf education dept. there for more info. (330) 672-2294. Kent State also offers a degree in Educational Interpreting (for individuals interested in interpreting for deaf children in schools). There is also an ASL major for individuals who wish to become teachers of ASL.
    Deaf Education majors:
    http://www.educ.kent.edu/efss/programs/SPED/deaf.htm
    Educational Interpreting majors:
    http://www.educ.kent.edu/efss/programs/SPED/interpreter.htm
    ASL majors:
    http://dept.kent.edu/mcls/asl/index.html

    Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf:
    http://www.rid.org/
    Nationally recognized organization for training and supporting quality sign language interpreters. Includes information on interpreter training programs, grants, scholarships, jobs, etc.

    Council on Education of the Deaf (CED):
    http://www.deafed.net
    Offers info on colleges and universities accredited for training teachers of the deaf and provides scholarship/grant info on some programs.

  9. Books and computer programs are a great start, but their is so much to this language you can not get from books. It is more than just signs, it is about facial expression and body language as well. Taking a class would be great, and it is a worth while investment if you are considering a career working with deaf people. Try finding deaf events in your area, interacting with deaf people and learning about deaf culture is VERY important. NTID, a deaf college in Rochester, NY put out good video dictionary. Some one purchased it for me at a deaf event in Washington, DC. (their is also a large deaf college there). It is called “American Sign Language Video Dictionary and Inflection Guide” http://www.rit.edu/NTID

  10. Hi, I am a sign language interpreter. The very best way to learn sign language will only cost you your friendship. Find out where local deaf events are happening and go! Make friends with deaf people. Deaf people are very open. A warning, some are like people who are not deaf…grumpy…self-absorbed…mean. You might meet someone like that along the way. Don’t let it stop you!

    I also agree with going to your local community college and auditing a class.

    ASL dictionaries are ok, but they won’t teach you the real language. You need to see it to understand it and learn how to use it to express yourself! 🙂

    good luck in your endeavor!

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