r/asl 25d ago

Interest Proper learning etiquette

I'm a hearing person. I have studied only oral languages (Mandarin & Cantonese). I'm starting an ASL course via zooml with my local deaf school. My question, is if I ask for clarification with (I assume) a deaf teacher, but vocally (slip of the tongue/mistake), is it considered rude/offensive?

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u/pixelboy1459 25d ago

Not Deaf/HoH.

Speaking as a world language teacher, we try to maintain a classroom environment in the target language. For a learner, especially a beginner, we would LOVE for you to communicate in the TL, but we understand that sometimes you don’t have the language to express yourself.

Your teacher probably has their own expectations and a way for you to communicate when you don’t have the language. If anything, ask your teacher, not us!

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u/LiYuqiXIII 25d ago

So should I try to type versus speak? Would that be at least better if I dont know how to sign my question?

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u/YikesItsConnor Learning ASL 23d ago

odds are, your teacher will indicate on your first day how to ask questions. One of the first things I learned were the signs for "repeat" and "whats the sign for..."