Learning ASL: Lesson 01 - Reflection

My first ASL Lesson was about 45-minutes in video length. After each new word that was taught I paused and tried to perform the motion like the instructor. This helped me crystalize each word the instructor taught. I forgot to time the full duration of this sitting though in general I would say I added 1-2 hours to the video by pausing in addition to the standing 45-minute video; I will ensure I use a stopwatch next sitting. This first sitting will act as my standard deviation after I correctly record the duration of next learning sittings. 

The instructor, Bill, was very expressive and friendly, he was teaching a beginner ASL learner Jen (and the viewers of the video of course) by using an additional computer screen and his own movements to model proper form. Words were shown on the computer screen from a presentation and Bill would show the signing movements to communicate the words. Occasionally he would also type on his computer, tips and movement guidance. Between every couple of words Bill would also test us on our retention of the learned words by flashing words on his computer screen for us to sign back to him. I was surprised with how much I was actually retaining at each of these mini-tests. 

Before watching the video I expected audio and was a little nervous to discover the lesson would have no verbal instructions after a few minutes. This nervousness diminished as the video progressed as Bill was very clear and concise with his movements teaching Jen and I new words. The video also had subtitles that were quite helpful in following along with the lesson. In this sitting I learned the words: again, deaf, understand (and don’t understand), hearing, how, him, her, she, I, learn, like, meaning, meet, name, nice (same as clean), no, sign, slow, student, teacher, person, thank you, they, what, where, who, why, yes, you, and your. After learning a couple of words at a time, Bill taught us (Jen and I) how to form sentences and questions with the aforementioned words. Some words had multiple meanings and multiple motions to sign them. Many of the words visually are very logical to perform and Bill also used helpful metaphors with his hand motions to teach new words. Another fact I learned today was that eyebrows are utilized to differentiate different questions. For yes or no questions, eyebrows should be raised when asking them, this contrasts who, what, where, why, questions when eyebrows should be down when asking them. The movement of downward eyebrows for who, what, where, why questions can act as a substitute for the actual w-word in these specific questions. I personally kept forgetting when the proper eyebrow movements should take place while practicing. 

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed today’s sitting, even though initially overwhelmed, I went at my own pace to really try to absorb all the information shown and I now feel quite accomplished! I will report again at the end of my next sitting~