OKU@UVic: Learning Sign Language

Hello,

This is Naoaki Nishimura.

TEFL Program in Canada is almost done. We try not to regret as much as possible in every day.

As usual in Maj-Britt’s class, we discussed the textbook for teaching language continuing from yesterday. There are many activities and practices that are considered including four competences (Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening) only in one page in the textbook. However, sometimes, the aims of them are obscure. We need to consider which practice is better for students or not. Also, she taught us teaching reading. As one of impressive things in the reading session, the method “Jigsaw Reading” was very useful and interesting. By giving different passages to each group, they can share their ideas with each other and help themselves to build up the comprehension.

In Marilyn’s class, she talked about “Universal Design for Learning.” In this activity, there are four stages: think, share, negotiate, and show. First, we have to read a passage. After that, we share the main points of the passage with each group and negotiate with your group about which one is main points. Then, we show each main point to other groups. Actually, she demonstrated this activity in the class. Also, we learned and played “Puzzle game.”

In afternoon workshop, we learnt ESL sign language from Prof. Jeff. Even if we don’t know much about sign language, he taught us the sign language from alphabet. After that, we tried to express a sentence used in usual conversation while using and applying the sign language. I learned Japanese sign language a little bit when I had practicum for a school for deaf students, but ESL sign language is easier to grasp the meaning and motion for me because the symbol of alphabet and the motion which word implies are embodied in the sign language.

Some of the fellows have microteaching in Marilyn’s class tomorrow. It includes me, but I’ll try to make full use of what I learned here!!