Question: I've heard that you do mentoring?
Response: The mentoring to which you are referring
might be the occasional hyper-immersions I do in which I
accept a limited number of clients (typically no more than
five) and then arrange Deaf ASL teachers or CDI's to join
and we all go hang out somewhere cool and do a mix of fun
stuff and targeted training for 5 days to a week.
Each Hearing client is assigned a personal Deaf mentor and
the two of them share a two-bedroom suite during the
immersion. Thus the ratio is a minimum of 1:1 Deaf to
Hearing with massive interaction between all of the
participants as we do things together. The most recent
hyper-immersion was in Colorado Springs.
Archived information below. No longer current. If you are interested in doing a hyper-immersion and are able to afford $2,995 to $3,995 tuition you are welcome to contact me and we can put together your dream immersion at a location and doing activities that are mutually of interest, educational, and exciting.
One week of semi-private ASL language immersion. Includes: a full-time personal ASL practice companion (not me), frequent interactions with and/or shadowing of Dr. Bill Vicars, spaced intensive language training activities with Dr. Vicars, 3-day private group ASL Immersion Excursion to a theme park, three Continuing Education Units* (One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is equal to ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction.) Note: The theme park, related-travel to the theme park, and some meals are included in the hyper-immersion fee. (Participant should however budget for up to 21 meals out of pocket as well as six nights at a hotel or motel of their choosing near the Sacramento State University Campus. However, there is a chance you can be placed in a home foreign-exchange-student style.)
Cost: $3,995.00
Includes: One-week of daily immersion interactions with skilled signers, pick up and drop off at the airport. If you choose the Amusement Park option then your tuition includes transportation by van (or similar) from Sacramento to a theme park, and one all-day pass to the theme park.
Customization: If you are interested in one of Dr. Bill's hyper-immersions you can become the "sponsor" and have the immersion customized to your specific preferences. The "sponsor" is the first person or "anchor" person who commits to any particular immersion week AND pays a non-refundable deposit to get the ball rolling. The immersion is then designed around that person and their needs / wants. After it is all set up a limited number of other learners are invited to participate. Cohorts tend to be between six and eight students but can be as small as "one person" (the sponsor). For example "The "Amusement Park" aspect of this immersion is highly recommended but totally optional (for the sponsor).
Doesn't include: Local transportation, lodging, and meals. Tip: Pick a place that fits your preferences (near my place in the 95826 zip code or near Sacramento State University, 95819). If you decide you want to select the "amusement park" option then you only need to pay for lodging in the 95826 zip code for four nights. I'll cover the cost of the lodging in a hotel near whatever theme park for two nights. At the amusement park we tend to pack the room or suite with several other participants (of the same gender) to encourage signing and keep costs down (or you can pay for your own private room if you prefer). If you don't want the amusement park option then schedule a local hotel / motel for all six nights.
Required: Liability release form. (Or else I'd
have to get expensive insurance. We haven't had an accident
in 20 years though. Yay!)
When: Reasonably flexible. Summers
are generally pretty good. Spring break (around last week in
March) is good. The second week in January is great.
Candidates should choose a couple of different weeks that
work well for them and we negotiate and find a mutually
convenient week.
Questions and Answers:
Question: Dr. Bill, have you done immersions like
this before?
Answer:
Question: I want to do this, how do I make it happen?
Answer: Visit my contact page for my email address and then email me, tell me a bit about yourself, and suggest various weeks that would work for you. If we can make it work, I'll have you put down a deposit and you'll be the anchor for the event. At that point I'll set it up and put together the instructional team and officially set up the "event."
Sponsor checklist:
___ Negotiate a week that works for both you and Dr. Bill
___ Secure your sponsorship with a $1,000 deposit (and/or just pay the
whole amount). Send a check or use the "sending money to a friend" option
via Paypal.com
___ Get your plane ticket (if you are flying in). There is a car rental
place at the airport for your convenience.
___ Decide if you want the Amusement park option, if so rent a hotel in the
95819 or 95826 zip code area for Sunday through Thursday evening. If you
don't want the amusement park option rent the hotel from Sunday through Saturday
evening.
___ Rent a car. If you choose the Amusement park option rent it from Sunday to
Friday morning, otherwise Sunday through Sunday. Or if you prefer Uber or Lyft
there are plenty of drivers here in the Sacramento area.
Dr. Bill's:
Contact Info