FSL: An idea from the deaf

It was during our class last Saturday when we talked about the FSL ( Filipino Sign Language) and its originality, the main reason for its existence. If you are going to ask its difference compared to the ASL          ( American Sign Language), actually no difference except from some things like the used of the dominant hands, the more exaggerated way of signing the words or a whole statement, but the signs of the different words are all the same like in the ASL. The FSL people said that they are Filipino Sign Language in English meaning they will still be using the ASL in most of their signings, then how would this help the deaf people if they will just be the shadow of the ASL. If their signs are the same of that of the ASL , why do they need to create this one ? Is it only for the title? The need to have a name maybe is the name of the game.

Teach me how to sign. This is how they described their purpose. Teach how the hearing people sign so they can communicate with the deaf. In the other way around, teaching the deaf their own language. Not all deaf people know how to sign, funny isn't it? They do not know how to sign; it is the same as a kid who doesn't know how to talk, the guidance coming from us the hearing is very vital, we have all the chances and ways on how we can extend our hands to these people.

When we were talking about the FSL in our class, one deaf signed that he's a little disappointed with the FSL for he cannot see its purpose , he expressed through signs that if the FSL really wanted to help them then why do they just created it now after the deaf people memorized and used the ASL. But for me, whether ASL or FSL no problem! As long as the deaf individuals will be benefited  , ASL or FSL are big help.

an unexpected everyday lesson

It was already almost two months ago when I was asked by my former student if I can teach English to a Korean. I told her that I will first look at my schedule then if I can still accommodate it, or if not I will recommend her someone who can handle the job. When she said that the Korean will stay only for two months I barely answered her YES. Maybe because at that time I was a sort of a little bored with my schedule or I was really shy to say NO...hehehe it was already the second time because I was also asked by my other former student ( another one) to teach a Korean and I said NO to that person so I think that this time I have no capacity to decline the job.

Our meetings were postponed three times , until I finally met him.
It was just a casual day, I and my former student went to the factory where the said Korean is working. We were introduced. I never thought that he's young and not to mention he is indeed good looking. He talked to me shyly because he really cannot express himself in English. He just nodded his head and smile. Before that first meeting ended, we agreed to meet on Monday the following week. Then at night I received an email from him telling how sorry he was for he really cannot explain anything in English and asking for my help to teach him the language.

Then when Monday came, I was a kind of nervous because I know that I would start from scratch. I remembered those days when I was still teaching in elementary where I needed to start from the sounds. My being the IPA queen be tested again, and I was not wrong for that thinking. For several days of going to the factory... to and fro... plus those days of typhoon, and I still making it a point that I attend our classes. Those days of researching over the net , printing handouts that we will be using, sending emails of the day-to day lesson, practicing the sounds of every letter in the alphabet... now I can proudly say that my Korean student is improving! And I congratulate myself for that!

But I would like to share that being together for one hour a day from July 2 up to now is an experience I cannot forget. Why? because I am teaching him English and he is teaching me a lot of things about life, those things that we sometimes neglect. He said one day that working is not always fun and that you should not work all the time because your happiness will be forgotten. He said that a piggy bank once full is for enjoyment; that you should not put a bill in a piggy bank but coins only ( funny isn't it? ) I told him, " what if i want to put a bill in a piggy bank, will it still be not aloud?" He said, " what you should put in a piggy bank are those remain money from a buy, and they are not so important, and once it's full you will enjoy it." Do not use save money from a piggy bank in saving it again but use it to enjoy".   Come to think of it, it makes sense.   He said that while he is young he will work and enjoy , do not work so hard because in the end you will not enjoy it. Those are just few from the things he always share everyday. By the way, he is basically snob. So when you look at him you might thought that he is difficult to be with , but actually he has a lot of humor.