Reading and English (using ASL to communicate) (NOT ASL tutoring)

Christine W.

ESL/ESOL

I love teaching English! Learn English by reading interesting books and articles and using English in daily life. You'll have fun learning English, and your friends will be amazed at how fast you learn. I am fluent in ASL and can teach Deaf learners.

Hard of Hearing

I am fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and I have over 30 years of experience working with deaf and hard of hearing individuals. I have two teaching credentials (K-12 and Communication Handicapped, Deaf and Hard of Hearing) and am nearly finished with a graduate degree in ESOL.

Reading

I love teaching reading, and can make the words come alive in your mind! I am especially talented in helping Deaf people connect English and ASL in order to read well.

SAT Reading

I have over 30 years of experience teaching reading comprehension. I have worked successfully with students of all ages, with English-language learners, and with Deaf students.

Sign Language

American Sign Language (ASL) is a unique language, with its own grammar, vocabulary, and idiomatic phrasing. I have taught ASL to hearing and deaf people of all ages over three decades. I studied ASL linguistics and sign language interpreting at California State University, Northridge. I've taught parents of deaf children, and coached international deaf learners and sign language interpreters.I specialize in teaching bilingual ASL-English skills as used in reading. I work effectively with deaf "bridge" learners (college-bound English-language learners)to rapidly increase reading skills, vocabulary development, and use of idiomatic and colloquial language. I founded ASL Access, a fully volunteer nonprofit organization which placed over 5,600 ASL videos in libraries, nationwide. I authored the seminal document, Two Views of Deafness, which is used worldwide to teach respect for deaf people.

Special Needs

I have taught English and reading for over 33 years. I am fluent in ASL (American Sign Language). I love working with students who hope to improve their reading. I work very well with teen and adult hearing and Deaf students who are trying to reach academic (college)reading levels. With intensive tutoring, I've already helped several international Deaf students and others with special needs bring reading skills up to college level. I have a Master of Science in Education: TESOL (May 2013) and two K-12 teaching licenses (regular education and Special Education)that are valid in Virginia (renewed in 2012). I develop customized reading programs based on student interests. I work on increasing vocabulary, idiomatic (colloquial) language, and academic language while reading student-selected books and articles from real life.

Vocabulary

Learning more vocabulary helps you succeed in many dimensions of life. I can help you "fast-forward" your vocabulary acquisition by direct instruction and through reading good books and articles. You'll enjoy a larger vocabulary and all the associated benefits.