I’m currently a Junior in high school and am taking ASL as a foreign language. I am planning to continue learning ASL after I graduate if you needed to know. But the thing is I want to practice ASL not just in school…I want a ‘one-on-one’ teacher to teach me ASL more in-depth. So I was wondering if those classes in community colleges, in Florida to be more specific, accept high school students. Or would I have to wait until I’m in college?? And I know that the best way to become more fluent in ASL is to actually communicate with a Deaf or Hard of Hearing person…but I become very apprehensive and I get afraid that I’ll make a fool of myself at the Deaf socials…so I haven’t really gone to one yet, although I do have a strong desire to.
Thanks. 🙂
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Depends on where you live. Rural areas there is far fewer opportunities than Urban and Suburban areas. I’d say volunteer at a school or home for the deaf. If you can let people know that you are learning they should take it easy on you, and be glad that you are making the effort to communicate in a way that is easier for them. You may “make a fool” of yourself at some point. It is part of the learning process. Learn from it, and have someone that can help correct you. Other than that I’d say “make a deaf friend” so you can talk regularly and get your practice.
The best thing to do is go to your school’s guidance office. More than likely you could take a summer course on ASL at a community college nearby. (If you can get early college credit, that’s a plus.) Summer classes would probably have smaller class sizes, allowing one-on-one instruction when you need it. Also, lots of colleges will have “SIlent Socials” for ASL students. My school frequently has them. At first I was nervous to go to one, but most of the people in attendance were also beginner ASL students. The other nice part is that people who are fluent in ASL are normally very patient and kind to people that are still beginners. Good luck, I hope you can find what you’re looking for.