I don’t often make New Years Resolutions, I think the concept is overrated and tends to lead to personal disappointment when they are broken shortly thereafter. Last year however, I did make one (to learn ASL) while I didn’t learn as much as I’d wanted to on my own (the syntax really is something that has to be experienced to be learnt properly, at least for me it was) I didn’t give up. Instead after trying my best on my own, I enrolled in my local college’s ASL 101 course. I finished it with an 3.3 GPA (88%) and I’m proud of all I’ve learnt. The instructor was invaluable to the amount I learnt. She was patient with all of my mistakes and would take the time to show me the correct signs. That is on top of the actual course load she taught us all! I am now enrolled in the second course with the same instructor and due to start that one in just over a week’s time. While I am far from where I’d wanted to be in terms of how much of the language I’ve learnt, I’m proud of both all I have learnt as well as my continuation of this learning journey. I didn’t give up when I found it difficult, I simply found a different way to go about it. One that might be a bit slower than I’d hoped, but slow and steady is far better than just giving up.
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Contributing Author at Parents Space
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Behind starburst eyes 
Good for you!!! I’m not one for New Year resolutions either. 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
Congrats! I remember my first class in ASL – it was awesome. Our teacher made the most hilarious jokes from our mistakes. I spent almost the entire class giggling.
Consider going to ASL/Deaf meetups in your area! They’re easy to find online, and they’re loads of fun. The people there tend to be really encouraging, friendly, and hilarious. And of course, chatting with native users is the best way to learn a language.
Thanks. My teacher is the same and has us in stitches many a time 🙂
Thanks! I’ve found one near me, and I agree there really is no better way to learn a language than from a native user of it 🙂