I have a B.A already but it wasnt what I wanted to do in the long run, andn ow I am interested in a career in sign language. I have always been interested in it, but never pursued it. Do you have to go through a certified program to learn it? How long does it take to become efficient enough to use it as a job? How can I meet people in the deaf community?
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What do you mean by a career in sign language? A teacher? An interpreter? Social work/psychology?
I’m assuming you’re in the US – correct me if I’m wrong.
You’d have to begin taking classes and interacting with the community in order to learn the language. If you want to pursue a career involving it, you’d have to obtain a degree. Look for classes taught by Deaf instructors that use ASL (not SEE or any other sign system) and try to get out into the deaf community. Look for organizations, etc.
Gallaudet (which is where I attend) does accept hearing students (small numbers for undergrad, open for graduate). However, you would want to take some sign classes before attending. They offer Deaf Studies, Interpreting, Deaf Education, etc as well as other majors. That is a great school to attend to get full time immersion.
Other schools offer degrees as well.