Thanks for posting the interview with Dr. Simms. It was wonderful and educational. It would be very nice if we could get the interview captioned for non-ASL viewers.
May 28, 2007 - 10:26pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
The first concept of bilingualism-English and ASL was brought up the new issue at ad hoc faculity meeting in 1977, I saw the great barriers was resistence and fear. Most of the faculity and staff did not open their mind to that cocnept of bilingualism and that would beneft to most of us and increased more knowledge of ourselves better. It was very big challenge. Some called me idealistic. I myself grew up in NYC where there were many ethnics and there were more than English. When I passed by the newstand and they often displayed four languages newspaper- Hebrew, Spanish(Puerto Rican), Chinese and Italian on the way to stair up to elevated subway, That was where i was exposured by them all of my life. I can understand what bilingualism means. I myself am bilingualism means ASL and English I chose English as my second language could be English as a second language and ASL is my first primary langugge. Now Gallaudet University begin to have a big challenge over ASL at university level! I am so thrilled to see the beginning to program on that ASL/English.
May 26, 2007 - 1:41pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
From what i understand, TLC (The Learning Center for Deaf Children in Framingham, Mass) is the first school that set up Bi-Bi approach. then ISD set up much later. I may be wrong but that is what Im told.
yes Bilingualism is very challenging especially if in university; wonder if there is such a bilingual university in the world out there ?? if so, perhaps we shld collect research data and stories from them to justify our postion, and especially to draw up a simple/clear teaching methodolgy
Bilingualism is not about language proficiency nor knowledge of the languages, even tho they may wld be helpful, but it is really about basic/simple teaching methodology, and/or approach in classroom (e.g. algebra, history, psychology, etc) with ALL students, and in life, for that matter.
we will get there with crystal clear (and even simple) method/approach in classroom, that we then can apply and serve as model for schools with d/Deaf/HH students
Bear in mind, students upon completion of University courses of studies ultimately should be able to write research reports in English.....and in ASL over-the-air on videotape/DVD, if so desired ( i will be eager to read their research report - the true measurement of excellence - before their graduations !!)
anyway, before i close, speaking of the fear, teachers and students with weak ASL should get good meaningful supports to be worked out on its simple/practical methodology also...professors, for an example, shld be encouraged to reverse-mainstream, and learn ASL in dormitory (the natural setting), say for a semester
i trust that with our Collective Wisdom, we will find a way like we the Deaf people always have in our daily lives (but ironically not in classrooms, just yet, sigh)
it is more of hearing people's problem that we shld help solve it
Thank you very much for educating us about ASL/English Bilingualism! I learned a lot from both of you when you explained it to me clearly. It sounds exciting and wonderful! I do believe that all of you will be doing fine without any problems. I do not intend to critcize you about background, but I think black is too dark and it is difficult for everyone to understand what you are saying about. The color needs to be adjusted and everyone will feel comfortable to watch it. Thank you for your understanding. I do love to watch your videotapes as I am very engar to learn more about everything.
You have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and I am really looking forward to seeing more videotapes soon.
Yes, it was a poor choice of background for the interview, I agree. I didn't have a lot of choices with the limited options offered in the TV studio. Hopefully soon, we'll get new backgrounds so we'll have more to choose from.
FYI!, To clarify this TLC (The Learning Center For Deaf Children in Framingham Mass) Set up BI BI in 1989.. From what I understand is that TLC and ISD is the first school that set up BI BI at same time.. Maybe u want to check with MJ Bienvenu on this information.
Yes, you are correct. TLC was the first to implement Bi-Bi philosophy in 1989 as a private school. Indiana School for the Deaf was the first to do so in 1990 as a state-funded school. This is what Dr. Simms meant.. I apologize if we weren't clear.
Thanks for pointing it out.
:)
RC
May 24, 2007 - 3:48pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Thanks for sharing this enlightening interview w/ Dr. Simms. Interesting polarities and paradigm shifting of hearing/deaf and ASL/English. Like you and many others, we grew up with more English training than ASL, but can fast-sign ASL. I still think there should be more positive-aggressive professor signing interaction evaluations and training going on rather than letting it to be on voluntary basis and Gally let this slide for years. Common sense yes, but long ways to go, unfortunately. Nevertheless, it's good this is in the public forum. Indeed, "yes, we can." And shine as a beacon too that it is ok to be Deaf and bilingual.
Comments
Educational
Thanks for posting the interview with Dr. Simms. It was wonderful and educational. It would be very nice if we could get the interview captioned for non-ASL viewers.
bilingualism
The first concept of bilingualism-English and ASL was brought up the new issue at ad hoc faculity meeting in 1977, I saw the great barriers was resistence and fear. Most of the faculity and staff did not open their mind to that cocnept of bilingualism and that would beneft to most of us and increased more knowledge of ourselves better. It was very big challenge. Some called me idealistic. I myself grew up in NYC where there were many ethnics and there were more than English. When I passed by the newstand and they often displayed four languages newspaper- Hebrew, Spanish(Puerto Rican), Chinese and Italian on the way to stair up to elevated subway, That was where i was exposured by them all of my life. I can understand what bilingualism means. I myself am bilingualism means ASL and English I chose English as my second language could be English as a second language and ASL is my first primary langugge. Now Gallaudet University begin to have a big challenge over ASL at university level! I am so thrilled to see the beginning to program on that ASL/English.
From what i understand, TLC
From what i understand, TLC (The Learning Center for Deaf Children in Framingham, Mass) is the first school that set up Bi-Bi approach. then ISD set up much later. I may be wrong but that is what Im told.
methology ??
yes Bilingualism is very challenging especially if in university; wonder if there is such a bilingual university in the world out there ?? if so, perhaps we shld collect research data and stories from them to justify our postion, and especially to draw up a simple/clear teaching methodolgy
Bilingualism is not about language proficiency nor knowledge of the languages, even tho they may wld be helpful, but it is really about basic/simple teaching methodology, and/or approach in classroom (e.g. algebra, history, psychology, etc) with ALL students, and in life, for that matter.
we will get there with crystal clear (and even simple) method/approach in classroom, that we then can apply and serve as model for schools with d/Deaf/HH students
Bear in mind, students upon completion of University courses of studies ultimately should be able to write research reports in English.....and in ASL over-the-air on videotape/DVD, if so desired ( i will be eager to read their research report - the true measurement of excellence - before their graduations !!)
anyway, before i close, speaking of the fear, teachers and students with weak ASL should get good meaningful supports to be worked out on its simple/practical methodology also...professors, for an example, shld be encouraged to reverse-mainstream, and learn ASL in dormitory (the natural setting), say for a semester
i trust that with our Collective Wisdom, we will find a way like we the Deaf people always have in our daily lives (but ironically not in classrooms, just yet, sigh)
it is more of hearing people's problem that we shld help solve it
Hello Mr. Commerson and Dr.
Hello Mr. Commerson and Dr. Simms,
Thank you very much for educating us about ASL/English Bilingualism! I learned a lot from both of you when you explained it to me clearly. It sounds exciting and wonderful! I do believe that all of you will be doing fine without any problems. I do not intend to critcize you about background, but I think black is too dark and it is difficult for everyone to understand what you are saying about. The color needs to be adjusted and everyone will feel comfortable to watch it. Thank you for your understanding. I do love to watch your videotapes as I am very engar to learn more about everything.
You have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and I am really looking forward to seeing more videotapes soon.
Anonymous
Black Background
Hi,
Yes, it was a poor choice of background for the interview, I agree. I didn't have a lot of choices with the limited options offered in the TV studio. Hopefully soon, we'll get new backgrounds so we'll have more to choose from.
:)
RC
BI-BI School
FYI!, To clarify this TLC (The Learning Center For Deaf Children in Framingham Mass) Set up BI BI in 1989.. From what I understand is that TLC and ISD is the first school that set up BI BI at same time.. Maybe u want to check with MJ Bienvenu on this information.
Response to TLC Alumni
Hi Alumni,
Yes, you are correct. TLC was the first to implement Bi-Bi philosophy in 1989 as a private school. Indiana School for the Deaf was the first to do so in 1990 as a state-funded school. This is what Dr. Simms meant.. I apologize if we weren't clear.
Thanks for pointing it out.
:)
RC
Thank you! We nee more like
Thank you! We nee more like this kind of forum to discussion more. This is Democracy! Hail to ASL!
Keith
the viedo
Please slow down; it was extremely difficult to understand everything that is being said; although the topic is very interesting..
human
Thanks for sharing this
Thanks for sharing this enlightening interview w/ Dr. Simms. Interesting polarities and paradigm shifting of hearing/deaf and ASL/English. Like you and many others, we grew up with more English training than ASL, but can fast-sign ASL. I still think there should be more positive-aggressive professor signing interaction evaluations and training going on rather than letting it to be on voluntary basis and Gally let this slide for years. Common sense yes, but long ways to go, unfortunately. Nevertheless, it's good this is in the public forum. Indeed, "yes, we can." And shine as a beacon too that it is ok to be Deaf and bilingual.
Mike S.