Search - Getting Started In Signing on DVD

Packed with signs and very structured

Malinda Ott | Newnan, GA USA | 07/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is a description of the Lessons on this DVD:
Part 1: The Family Reunion
Pronouns
The American Manual Alphabet
Occupations
Part 2: Saturday at Home (vocabulary of rooms in house and a bunch of verbs)
Prepositions
Part 3: The Doctor's Appointment
Parts of a Sign
Part 4: The Picnic
Signs for the Weather
Time of Day
Part 5: Our Vacation
Plurals
Time
Calendar

I am a beginner in sign language. This DVD is really the only "lesson" I've had in sign language.
This program is great! It is jam-packed with vocabulary - they teach you around 800 signs! The content and lessons are very well organized and structured.

The host of the show is a deaf woman signing ASL. The co-host is a man signing in English grammar structure. I love it that just about everyone on this DVD signs every word they speak. The host signs as a background voice translates for the viewer. This way you pick up more words as you watch the lessons over and over; you also get to see people interacting in sign language, putting it all together, instead of just learning a bunch of signs. Everyone signs at normal signing speed, so at first it is overwhelming. But as I have watched the program over and over, I can now pick out a lot of what they are signing.

I only noticed two drawbacks of this program. One, the speed at which they sign the signs they are teaching you. I had to rewind a few times for the more complex ones. Two, during a couple of the skits the person "learning" signs from the deaf person didn't sign the exact same way. They did it backwards or with a different hand. I'm totally new to ASL, so I don't know how much precision is expected. It is confusing for a beginner either way.

Despite the two small drawbacks, I give this program 5 stars. I am definitely buying the second volume!"

Awesome video

Valerie Filipowski | Auburn, Alabama | 07/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I thought this was a really effective learning product. You are able to rewind if you miss something and the more you play it the better you get. They teach a wide variety of words in sign and I found this to be excellent. Do not buy the other DVD "Say it with Sign". It is not as well put together and it is very repetive. I found it to be confusing and useless. This one is awesome."

Excellent starting point for learning ASL

N. Eyster | 12/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Very good production values and solid presentation of basic ASL. A very good beginners starting point for learning ASL. Excellent for repetitive practice."

Learning sign

C. T. Dupuis | Louisiana | 12/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am so far impressed with this video. It must, however, be watched over and over to get the full benefits. No way will one sitting do it. I liked the way it was done and find it easier than I thought to pick up on signs. I doubt that I will be an expert but will be much better prepared than before and will have some level of confidence. Worth the money."