SignWriting List Forum | |||
|
From:
Akehurst Date: Thu Mar 9, 2000 2:30 pm Subject: Re: SignWriting as a gateway? | |
I think if nothing else, an activity that empowers the students and gives them confidence, as well as providing a tool that they can at least use to leave notes on the fridge, is worth it. Absolutely. I think (as with other aspects of languages) some will take to SW more than other and so on, but what I've noticed with our small (but sturdy and devoted! :) SWLP group is the improvement in the children's AND the adult's self-esteem. These adults were all raised orally (horrible story, none of their family members even sign) and have always looked to hearing authority figures for everything. Yet I notice a small but growing sense of independence in them (which, of course, is transmitting itself to the children) and it's a delight to see it. They've even put their foot down about a few events recently and have insisted that I be there to interpret, that reading lips would not be good enough and they wanted the information in their own language. This has been empowering. They jot notes to each other in SW and they are asked by hearing people to explain what THEY mean (instead of always the other way around). Intriguing developments... I am not the children's 'school' teacher so I'm not really sure about their abilities to read in English improving (actually, when they are with me, they don't want to read in English they want to read in SW) but my impression is that they are improving. The parents have asked me to join them in meetings with the teachers in another month or so and I hope to have a few minutes on my own to ask some questions with regards to their reading in English (for my own information relating to SW). We're really enjoying all the fascinating back and forth recently on this list. It's also been great for the group to read about S. Africa, France etc. Wonderful stuff, right, Val?! :) all the best, Kathy A. |
|