I have questions for deaf people who goes or went to colleges

[shel90]

That's interesting that u all say Gallaudet is like a baby college. I had so many research papers, reports, and projects to do each semester that I didnt have much time for socializing.

My brother, as an undergrad, was always studying every night except for the weekend nights. I helped him with his Calculus and Algebra classes and let me tell u, that was some college level information so that is why I am puzzled by all your comments about Gallaudet having lower educational standards. If they did that, they would have never gotten the accreditation in the first place. They have to provide college level material for the college level classes. The easy classes were the remedial (prep) classes.

Just interesting cuz my, my brother's and friends' experiences with the material was different.

 

[RedheadGrrl]

That's interesting that u all say Gallaudet is like a baby college. I had so many research papers, reports, and projects to do each semester that I didnt have much time for socializing.

My brother, as an undergrad, was always studying every night except for the weekend nights. I helped him with his Calculus and Algebra classes and let me tell u, that was some college level information so that is why I am puzzled by all your comments about Gallaudet having lower educational standards. If they did that, they would have never gotten the accreditation in the first place. They have to provide college level material for the college level classes. The easy classes were the remedial (prep) classes.

Just interesting cuz my, my brother's and friends' experiences with the material was different.

Just bec you graduated another college and entered Gally for graduate school or what Junior or Senior??

I wasn't. I entered as a prep. That's different!

 

[shel90]

Just bec you graduated another college and entered Gally for graduate school or what Junior or Senior??

I wasn't. I entered as a prep. That's different!

I entered the grad program...my brother entered first as a prep and then into freshman all the way to senior. I agree with u that prep is easy..My brother said it was a piece of cake and then when he entered his sophmore year, that was when things became challenging.

 

[Silentwolfdog]

I am a student in a hearing university as well. I am probably only 1 of 3 deaf students there.

So yeah, there's some deaf people that go to universities other than gally or rit. But yeah it's not very common to see deaf people go to university other than community college or rit/gally. But can you blame em? Some of them like to be with people they feel they belonged to.

I have heard from some of my former classmates of mine that went to gally said that it's awful there and that it's too easy.

Dunno if it's true...but I don't care too much about gally, after all it's not mine school. lol

 

[MetroGuy03]

I entered the grad program...my brother entered first as a prep and then into freshman all the way to senior. I agree with u that prep is easy..My brother said it was a piece of cake and then when he entered his sophmore year, that was when things became challenging.

I have been told by many deaf people that Gallaudet's graduate program is way better than undergraduate program. They said Gallduadet's graduate program is more academically challenged than compared to undergraduate program.

 

[shel90]

I have been told by many deaf people that Gallaudet's graduate program is way better than undergraduate program. They said Gallduadet's graduate program is more academically challenged than compared to undergraduate program.

I have been told that too but arent grad programs supposed to be more academically challenging than undergrad programs in general? I had to take some undergrad classes at Gally to meet the prequistions for some of my grad level classes and I found all 6 of them to be pretty challenging.

Guess it depends on the professor or the program?

 

[MetroGuy03]

I have been told that too but arent grad programs supposed to be more academically challenging than undergrad programs in general? I had to take some undergrad classes at Gally to meet the prequistions for some of my grad level classes and I found all 6 of them to be pretty challenging.

That is correct. The point is Galluadet University offers more academically challenge only on their graduate program than they did to undergraduate program.

Guess it depends on the professor or the program?

That is for general education across the country and world not just for Gallaudet University.

 

[jazzy]

I entered the grad program...my brother entered first as a prep and then into freshman all the way to senior. I agree with u that prep is easy..My brother said it was a piece of cake and then when he entered his sophmore year, that was when things became challenging.

Waste time and money to start prep year. No thanks. I already went to DEAF school and it was enough for me. U other hand, u never went DEAF school so Gally was perfect for u. For me I wanted challenge not baby classes so Gally was not for me then plus they are liberal college and they do not have major I wanted.

 

[Cousin Vinny]

RedheadGrrl, do I know you? I was at Gally during the time you were there, but on the main campus, though.

My general advice; Go to Gallaudet. This will be your only opportunity to experience collegiate life in a Deaf environment. There is a reason why Deaf people call Gallaudet, 'Home". You don't see any Deaf people calling their hearing colleges that, not even RIT alumni.

Now, I understand that some of you want to have a serious education. Gallaudet does indeed offer that. Unfortunately, they need to shore up their general education curriculum; I found their lower level courses to be unchallenging.

And if you truly wish to pursue your academic studies, I would suggest you go to a graduate school other than Gallaudet. This way, you get to experience diversity, hearing culture, the right major you want to study in, etc. etc. By going to Gallaudet as an undergrad, you get a chance to experience the best of both worlds, when you go to a mainstream university for your graduate-level ambitions. A win-win situation no matter how one slices it!

Of course, some people do it in reverse; going to a mainstream school for their undergrad studies, and going to Gallaudet for their graduate studies. Nothing wrong with that, either. But, graduate study really is a serious undertaking, and there is little or no time left for experiencing an immersive Deaf atmosphere at Gallaudet.

 

[Smiley]

Working with deaf teens

I've been working with deaf teens for almost 15 years now... I've taught teens that went to normal secondary schools and others that went to schools for the Deaf. The students who were in regular classes all the time found it hard because they had no friends. They were never chosen as partners for projects and stuff like that. When they could find a friend, it was still difficult cuz the friend didn't really understand what he or she was living. Being deaf teenager is a lot different then being an hearing teenager, problems aren't the same. Students in the school for the Deaf have lots of friends with whom they can share their difficulties cuz they are exactly the same.

The other thing that is really helpful in schools for the deaf, is that there are lots of other professionnals in the school that know what deafness is and that can help the students when they have trouble with different things other than school. You can easily meet the psychologist, the psycho-educator, the youth worker, the social worker, the audiologist, the orthophonist, etc.

For those who think that the teaching is less valuable in the schools for the Deaf, let me tell you that it isn't true. We (cuz I teach there) accomodate the needs of every student. If the student has lots of difficulties, the standards aren't too high. Though, if the student has the potential for succeeding, the teachers are behind him or her at all times. Teachers don't hesitate to give extra time to help their students.

That's my point of view !

Smiley

 

[shel90]

I've been working with deaf teens for almost 15 years now... I've taught teens that went to normal secondary schools and others that went to schools for the Deaf. The students who were in regular classes all the time found it hard because they had no friends. They were never chosen as partners for projects and stuff like that. When they could find a friend, it was still difficult cuz the friend didn't really understand what he or she was living. Being deaf teenager is a lot different then being an hearing teenager, problems aren't the same. Students in the school for the Deaf have lots of friends with whom they can share their difficulties cuz they are exactly the same.

The other thing that is really helpful in schools for the deaf, is that there are lots of other professionnals in the school that know what deafness is and that can help the students when they have trouble with different things other than school. You can easily meet the psychologist, the psycho-educator, the youth worker, the social worker, the audiologist, the orthophonist, etc.

For those who think that the teaching is less valuable in the schools for the Deaf, let me tell you that it isn't true. We (cuz I teach there) accomodate the needs of every student. If the student has lots of difficulties, the standards aren't too high. Though, if the student has the potential for succeeding, the teachers are behind him or her at all times. Teachers don't hesitate to give extra time to help their students.

That's my point of view !

Smiley

I SO MUCH AGREE with u on EVERYTHING!!!! I have experienced what it is like being a deaf teenager growing up mainstreamed and orally and experienced being a deaf educator at the deaf and public schools. I see and feel the SAME thing as u do and those kids u work with in the mainstreamed program! It was hell for me growing up and I hated it. Now, I am much happier because I learned ASL and found the Deaf community and I feel connected fro the first time in my life.

I have gotten into countless of arguments with many AD members especially the parents of mainstreamed deaf kids about all these issues u have posted. It seems like they dont believe me...*sighs*

 

[Smiley]

I SO MUCH AGREE with u on EVERYTHING!!!! I have experienced what it is like being a deaf teenager growing up mainstreamed and orally and experienced being a deaf educator at the deaf and public schools. I see and feel the SAME thing as u do and those kids u work with in the mainstreamed program! It was hell for me growing up and I hated it. Now, I am much happier because I learned ASL and found the Deaf community and I feel connected fro the first time in my life.

I have gotten into countless of arguments with many AD members especially the parents of mainstreamed deaf kids about all these issues u have posted. It seems like they dont believe me...*sighs*

Did you feel that you needed to meet other deaf people on the week-ends for example? The teenagers I worked were a lot hapier when they had a few deaf friends while being mainstreamed. Friends are very important to teenagers and parents don't seem to understand that. Most of the parents say that they want their children to go to regular schools cuz it's closer to their place and that they want their children to be like everyone else... BUT THEY AREN'T !

 

[shel90]

Did you feel that you needed to meet other deaf people on the week-ends for example? The teenagers I worked were a lot hapier when they had a few deaf friends while being mainstreamed. Friends are very important to teenagers and parents don't seem to understand that. Most of the parents say that they want their children to go to regular schools cuz it's closer to their place and that they want their children to be like everyone else... BUT THEY AREN'T !

I was never exposed to the Deaf community until I took ASL classes at the age of 25 years old. I did express an interest in learning sign and meeting other deaf chidlrne but the teachers or audis told me that I was too smart for ASL and they made the assessment that I was doing fine with all hearing. I was dying inside and by the time I was in my 20s, I hated myself so much that I started doing self-destructive behaviors. I fooled those so-called specialist who had NO training in deaf ed nor deafness. Stupid retards to say that they were experts when they knew diddly squat! LOL!

I agree with u. If I had ASL and deaf friends, I would have had a hell of a better childhood that's for sure!

Now, I have my MA degree in Deaf Ed and looking back to all those specialists that worked with me, it makes me cuz they really screwed up with me, my brother and my best friend (all of us are deaf). Luckily for my brother, he was referred to the Deaf school due to struggling with picking up oral skills.

 

[Buffalo]

Yes I know what u mean. My parents wanted me to go to Gally and I refused cuz i do not want to see some of them again. Plus too I was told I might not start freshman year. I decided to go to hearing community college and found it was not too bad for me. I loved more challenge than being in baby classes alike deaf school I used to attend.

If Gally was too easy for you, why did you have to start at prep if you went to Gally???? I went to NTID instead of Gally because I want hands-on education. After the test, I was told that I don't have to start at prep if I go to Gally.

 

[VamPyroX]

I didn't go to RIT because of the deaf community. I didn't even know that they had a huge deaf community. I heard that there were deaf students at RIT, but I always thought it was somewhere around 50 or 60 deaf students. I simply applied for RIT and got accepted quickly. After arriving to RIT, I began to realize how many deaf students there really were.

Also, I didn't even know about NTID until after I started working in NTID a couple weeks later. The only thing I kept hearing was "Building 60" and/or "LBJ". After I started working, I noticed labels and signs around (letterheads, brochures, pamphlets, etc). That's when I learned what NTID was.

No, I never went to NTID for any AAS or AOS degree. I just went to RIT to get my BS degree in IT.

The reason for picking RIT was because I heard they had a good IT program as well as a good deaf support program.

 

[Smiley]

I agree with u. If I had ASL and deaf friends, I would have had a hell of a better childhood that's for sure!

The students I used to work with did not use ASL, but having friends that had to cope day to day with the same problems had them feel a lot better.

Smiley

 

[jillio]

I've been working with deaf teens for almost 15 years now... I've taught teens that went to normal secondary schools and others that went to schools for the Deaf. The students who were in regular classes all the time found it hard because they had no friends. They were never chosen as partners for projects and stuff like that. When they could find a friend, it was still difficult cuz the friend didn't really understand what he or she was living. Being deaf teenager is a lot different then being an hearing teenager, problems aren't the same. Students in the school for the Deaf have lots of friends with whom they can share their difficulties cuz they are exactly the same.

The other thing that is really helpful in schools for the deaf, is that there are lots of other professionnals in the school that know what deafness is and that can help the students when they have trouble with different things other than school. You can easily meet the psychologist, the psycho-educator, the youth worker, the social worker, the audiologist, the orthophonist, etc.

For those who think that the teaching is less valuable in the schools for the Deaf, let me tell you that it isn't true. We (cuz I teach there) accomodate the needs of every student. If the student has lots of difficulties, the standards aren't too high. Though, if the student has the potential for succeeding, the teachers are behind him or her at all times. Teachers don't hesitate to give extra time to help their students.

That's my point of view !

Smiley

Great post! My son attended a school for the deaf and was well prepared to enter college. He attends a major hearing university close to the deaf school he attended. I think the lower student to teacher ratio allows for the indiviudal educational practices you speak of. And, he had the advantage of the accepting social environment that is so necessary for teen agers at that developmental period in their lives. I agree with you that it is indeed a shame that more parents do not consider this when deciding on educaitonal placement. A student who is constantly dealing with socialization problems cannot concentrate on their education.

 

[fredfam1]

Um, some of us hearing understand deaf

At the risk of appearing pretentious, Not all hearing people have
zero awarness of the deaf and their needs or their culture.
I was very fortunate in my first ASL class 25 years ago to have
an instructor named Clyde Vincent who took great effort to teach
us ASL and ASL culture. He would not even allow an interpreter
in the class for the first hour and we had to struggle to understand
him! He was Deaf and an Excellent teacher. He used to sign that I
was his "Spacy Student". Most amusing!

My point is that I was one of 30 hearing people in a class that was
always full in the year 1982! So at least Clyde had an enormous
impact on hearing awareness of the Deaf Community.

 

[jillio]

At the risk of appearing pretentious, Not all hearing people have
zero awarness of the deaf and their needs or their culture.
I was very fortunate in my first ASL class 25 years ago to have
an instructor named Clyde Vincent who took great effort to teach
us ASL and ASL culture. He would not even allow an interpreter
in the class for the first hour and we had to struggle to understand
him! He was Deaf and an Excellent teacher. He used to sign that I
was his "Spacy Student". Most amusing!

My point is that I was one of 30 hearing people in a class that was
always full in the year 1982! So at least Clyde had an enormous
impact on hearing awareness of the Deaf Community.

You are absolutely right, fredfam! And it has been my experience here on AD, and in the Deaf culture generally, that the deaf/Deaf are very accepting and supportive of those hearies who make a concerted effort to gain that understanding. It is just that the one's who seem not to understand, and try to push their ethnocentric hearing perspective on others make up the more vocal group (no pun intended!).

 

[fredfam1]

You are absolutely right, fredfam! And it has been my experience here on AD, and in the Deaf culture generally, that the deaf/Deaf are very accepting and supportive of those hearies who make a concerted effort to gain that understanding. It is just that the one's who seem not to understand, and try to push their ethnocentric hearing perspective on others make up the more vocal group (no pun intended!).

hahaha good pun anyway!