Tutor profile: Sharon L.

I really want to learn American Sign Language but I've heard that it's really hard and takes a long time to learn. Where should I begin?

Learning a new language takes time and patience but it is definitely worth it. If you are a person like me who learns by doing, then the more you practice the more your brain will remember. I began learning this language approximately 9 years ago when my daughter, who is Deaf, was born. I didn't know anything about ASL but now I am working to become an interpreter. Every day you will learn more and more and your language will build upon itself. First, you will start with some basic sentences to communicate needs and wants. For example, "I want to make a sandwich for lunch today." The more we practice anything the greater ease and confidence we develop. You can do it!

What animal lives beneath your human skin? A spider? A tiger? A seal? Or what? Explain with any type of writing you choose - a poem, short story, scene in a play.

About four years ago Samantha had happened upon some hard days; days that could feel rough and grey and both loud and entirely too quiet all in the same moment. One Fall morning, while sitting a café with her friend, he put his coffee cup down on the table in front of them and asked her a question. The words sounded both casual and like he’d been thinking about them for quite some time but that the thoughts had finally taken shape within his brain, “What animal do you think lives beneath your human skin?” “How does one answer a question like that? And after one cup of coffee no less”, she asked her friend, feeling bewildered that he had asked her the question in the first place. “Let me tell you what I’m thinking. I know you have been struggling here. I know that some days you wish you could keep the blinds closed and hide under blankets until the darkness comes again.” And then he took out his phone and showed her a picture of a female lion and said, “I just read that Lionesses are much faster than lions. Lions can run about 35 mph while lionesses can do about 45 mph.” The lion possessed a beauty that was nearly regal. You could feel her bravery and courage just by looking at her eyes. “Samantha, that- THAT– is who you are. If you could only see and feel the strength and power that you possess. Yes, there is vulnerability but that too is part of your fearlessness. When I just merely look at you, I feel it. Don’t you?”

On a scale from 1-10 ( 1 being not-so-good and 10 being excellent) how would you rate yourself as a communicator? What do you think you do well and in what areas do you feel you need to improve?

As a communicator I would rate myself overall as an 8. My strengths include that I tend to be a good listener and invested in what my 'partner in communication' is telling me. I also enjoy gaining varied perspectives, insights and knowledge. Regarding areas I would like to improve include conflict resolution.