By Dr. Bill Vicars:
* Ask everyone you know who might have any idea where to
take a local class. Someone in your network might just happen
to have taken such a class or know someone who is taking an ASL
class.
* Do an internet search for various combinations of: "ASL
sign language class" and the name of your City.
* Do an internet search for any Deaf Centers and Deaf Schools in your area.
Then contact the teachers or directors of those organizations and ask them where
to find ASL classes.
* Hire a Deaf person to teach you one-on-one. Do an internet search
for the name of your state and the words "association for the Deaf"
[or just "Deaf Association"]. Contact that association and put
a paid ad into their newsletter seeking a Deaf ASL tutor.
* Do an internet search including the words: "registry,
interpreters, Deaf" - and your city or state. Contact any
local ASL interpreter organizations and ask them where to find a
local ASL class.
* Visit meetup.com and search for any ASL or sign language "meetups"
in your area. If you can't find one, consider starting one!
* Do a search for: "sign language site:csus.edu" and replace the "csus"
with the name of your local college's website. Check with your local
college and see if they offer any classes through "open enrollment"
that don't require matriculation. ("Matriculation" means "becoming a
full student.) Contact the "continuing education department" and ask
them if they know of an ASL class. Ask for one to be set up.
* Call the "night-school" director of your local school district and
ask about classes. If they don't offer any, ask them to set one up
at their earliest convenience.
* Check with your state's division of services to the Deaf. Do
an internet search for the words: Deaf, Services, [name of your
state], Department [or "division"]
* Check with your church to see if they offer Deaf outreach
services. Ask your church to set up an ASL class.
* Set up your own class. Put an and in the local media and
advertise for an ASL instructor. Once you find an instructor you can
work together to advertise for students and set up a class.
* Try your local library. Ask them if they know of any
classes. Also ask if the library has any videos or books about sign
language.
* Find Deaf events by searching for the name of your city, the word
Deaf, and words like pizza, coffee, Starbucks, practice, or bowling.
[Not all search terms at the same time though.]
* Hire a college senior (advanced) majoring in ASL (and getting
"A's") to tutor you one-on-one. Don't trust a "student's"
signing, but rather compare it to several modern ASL websites and/or
books. If you note lots of differences you should find a different
tutor. Go to Deaf Events and compare the signs you are learning with
the signs you see on the hands of native Deaf adults.
* If you are familiar with someone Deaf who has children offer
to trade babysitting services (if you are skilled at
childcare) in exchange for ASL tutoring.
You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™
ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars