Sign Language Lessons – Introduction (ASL Snippets #1) – Hello! This is my introduction video. I will be creating “ASL Snippets” on a regular basis that will cover some very basic concepts in ASL. These snippets are designed to encourage others to develop an interest in and learn about American Sign Language (commonly known as ASL). I am a full-time ASL teacher and in my spare time I am putting together a more in-depth website for learning ASL online (www.WestwoodASL.com/moodle). However, that is a slow process due to the amount of time it takes to create each lesson. So, enjoy these ASL Snippet videos.
Please, share my videos with others. There are a lot of so-called “sign language videos” on YouTube but most of them have inaccurate information or are spreading misconceptions about what ASL really is. My videos rarely show up on the first couple of pages for search listings. But if each of you will vote “thumbs up” on all of my videos, leave a comment (even just a “hello”), and share them on your facebook page, blogs, etc. that will help me get higher in the search listings and thus help to spread more accurate videos for learning ASL.
If you are an ASL teacher and have a desire to use these for your own students, please contact me first. I’m happy to let you use my videos, I just have some things I’d like to make you aware of. Thanks!
Footnote:
American Sign Language is a very rich, complex, and unique language. To accurately learn ASL takes commitment and motivation. YouTube is FULL of videos by individuals who make “cutesy” little videos that show random signs and claim to be teaching “sign language.” Most of them talk, talk talk, sign, talk, talk, talk, sign…. as a result, they are spreading wrong information about what ASL is and how it is used. Some examples – Melissa Schenk, Ryan Moriarty, Kate Maria, etc. Each of their videos have a lot of views, but for each one of them, the information they are spreading is wrong. And because each one of them gets paid for their videos, not only are they “teaching” a language that they know nothing about, they are also making money at the expense of the Deaf. Is it really that big of a deal? What do you think? A minority culture that is often discriminated against and their language treated like some “cutesy quasi-thing” that’s not a “real language.”
If you have watched and voted thumbs-up on their videos and subscribed to their channels, you’re helping to encourage them to continue to take advantage of the Deaf and to wrongly profit off a language that they are teaching wrong. Please, UNsubscribe from them, vote thumbs-down, and leave a comment to encourage others to look for and support accurate sources. Then, take the time to find accurate videos. Ask the video makers where they learned and if they are qualified to teach.
Take a moment to vote thumbs-up and leave a positive comment on videos made by individuals who truly KNOW sign language. Subscribe to their channel and share their videos with others. Please help to actively spread the accurate use of ASL.
On behalf of the Deaf community and those of us who look to have our language, community and culture get the respect they deserve, I thank you.