Customer Reviews

Signing Naturally Student Workbook: Level 1, Expanded Edition

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As the Deaf son of an ASL teacher, I have seen this book used in its full capacity. When one looks at the textbook at the surface, one can note that it has superb organization, relevant vocabulary regarding various common topics (i.e. locations, daily activities, etc.), some good cultural information, and a video that serves as a very effective learning tool to build receptive skills and increase understanding of the language itself. One thing, however, that's lacking about this book, is the amount of vocabulary. The most difficult thing about learning a language is the vocabulary aspect, and this book doesn't help much in that aspect. Therefore, my mother uses "A Basic Course In Sign Language" as an supplement to fortify the grammatical and vocabulary aspects of the language. The lack of vocabulary and grammatical concepts nonwithstanding, this is a very good way to start in your endeavour to learn American Sign Language!

I don't know about you, but when it comes to learning languages I usually cringe. For the first time in my life I got an A in a language class, and I know that this book had something to do with it. Inside it is filled with pictures on how to sign, explanations of signs, and awesome Deaf cultural material that is essential to know. Along with the book is a video. I will admit that it is hokey, but if you can stand to watch the 20-min sessions you will learn a lot. The book, however, is not intended to be used as a self-teaching guide. You need to have someone either teaching you correct signing methods, or helping you in some way in order for the book to be used in it's greatest capacity. On a whole this book is a great tool to learn both ASL and about the Deaf culture.

The book is excellent and has been used in previous sign language classes that I have helped out at my church and has successfully bridged the gap between the hearing and deaf members at the church to a degree where many of them had a continued interest to even help the other interpreters with the church songs! While the book was most used, the tape was "so-so" but useful for those times away from class and away from the exposure of other deaf at the church.

I bought this text to study for an ASL exam, but did not purchase the video. Please let this serve as a warning that if you do not purchase the video, this book is almost worthless. It is intended to go along with the video. A lot of the sellers are only selling the text, so beware.

Since I already knew some sign, this text served as a refresher for my exam, but I wasn't able to get the full use out of it.

Basically, I don't see this book and video as all that great a tool if you're trying to learn ASL on your own. It simply cannot stand alone as a self-teaching resource. However, if you are taking a class, or if you have other interaction in the Deaf community, this book will be a great supplemental tool in learning ASL. The workbook activities focus on comprehension and identification, as well as some basic grammar. There is some vocabulary, however not all the vocab is clearly marked. You'll want to buy a definitive ASL dictionary, as well as the aforementioned class or Deaf community interaction [or an in depth teach it yourself course]. This text was a requirement at my University's ASL I course, and in conjunction with the course the text was very helpful.

I received the book, but the video did not come with it. The description did not mention this and when I e-mailed Power Ace Books, I did not receive a reply. Just be careful and ask before you buy.

I'm at at the college where these authors wrote the book. I actually have Cheri Smith, one of the writers, as my ASL 2 teacher the first half of the semester. She is excellent! This books helps a lot in learning different words. The signers on the video are somewhat fast, but once you get the hang of it...you'll understand it. Also, have the video go SLOW; it'll help you pick the signs better. Overall, everything is excellent...I recommend getting both items and possibly taking this class at BCC.

There ARE things I like about this daunting gray book. It's well-organized, and it is very true to the idea of ASL as a language as well as to key concepts of Deaf culture. The DVD contains no speech or sound whatsoever and features actual deaf individuals sharing conversations in ASL, which, in itself, is a good thing.

That said, this is probably not a course you can just pick up on your own.

And even with classroom instruction to complement the book and DVD, I have seen many students become discouraged by the rapid pace of the signing on the DVD, along with the lack of English translations for vocabulary presented in Signing Naturally. There's no dictionary provided and no way to look up signs as they are learned.

Many of the signs shown in the vocabulary sections are not used on the DVD, and it's very hard to figure out ASL just from looking at a picture. Pictures are helpful as a REMINDER, but I personally like to see word lists available, with an index, so the book is useful not only while I'm taking the course but later on - perhaps even many years later.

Finally, while the dialogues on the DVD are helpful, there aren't many of them, only two per unit, and they present stilted, artificial situations, and I sense that they don't really inculcate an understanding of how fluent ASL users actually communicate with one another. I did find some of the quizzes on the DVD helpful, however.

The individuals involved in the dialogues and quizzes are all very clear and accurate signers, however, they also seem, by and large, either utterly grim and resigned to being part of this dull grey, stripey book.

I have read many excellent and FUN books on ASL: this isn't one of them. I've also seen many helpful (often free!) ASL tutorials online, so I know it is possible to teach ASL in a way that is both fun and functional. This book and DVD seem to have left their smiles behind in an effort to drive home the message that learning ASL is a Serious Business.

Frankly, I'd rather smile a little more and learn a little less... though I suspect that a spoonful of sugar would go a long way to making the ASL medicine go down a whole lot easier.

First, you need to have both the book and the video and a class. It's not the best text for trying to teach yourself ASL. I did not start using this book until I was in level 2 of ASL at BCC and we started in the middle of the book. If you're just starting to learn ASL, put the video on slow-mo. I took a look at the video for the beginning units and the sign is insanely fast for a beginner. Flipside to that remark, you see sign at a fast speed so you must adapt to it more quickly. This is an old book, last copyrighted in 1992, so some signs are outdated (especially ethnicities). Read the grammar and cultural notes! They're very important for using ASL and interacting with the Deaf community. It's not there but it would be nice if the vocabulary signs had a description underneath (palm orientation, handshape, direction of travel) and translation OR in the DVD, include a review for all signs.

The Shipping was fast and the book was as advertised but the video text that was supposed to be with it never came.