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Signing Made Easy
A complete program for learning and using sign language in everyday life. Includes learning exercises for increased comprehension and signing skill. Is in large format with clear descriptions and instructions for easy learning.
224 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 25, 2016
Butterworth, R., & Flodin, M. (1989). Signing made easy: A complete program for learning sign language. New York, NY: Perigee Book.
Target Audience: Ages 8 and up
Depending on how motivated you are really determines the target audience for this how to book on sign language. Children younger than 8 may be able to learn some of the signs taught but perhaps not all, as they do become more difficult. There are children as young as 2 signing basic words such as more, food, please, etc. So while I have placed the target audience at 8, parts of the books could easily be used by parents who wish to teach their toddlers beginners sign language.
What I liked about this sign language book was that not only are their illustrations for each word, letter, or number being presented but there is also a written out description below if the illustration is not enough or difficult to comprehend. Additionally in the very beginning of the book there is a history of the language's creation and the first school for the deaf, as well as a "how to use this book" section.
Before actually getting into the many different hand signs there are some smaller sections on tips, hand shapes, and inflections that can be referenced as the learner goes through the book. Finally, after going over numbers, and the alphabet, the book turns into chapters covering topics such as Family & Social Life, Sports & Recreation, Education, and many more. I believe by splitting it up by topic/theme it gives the learner the ability to move about the book, at their own pace, instead of having to read it chapter to chapter. Therefore, the student has power over how they wish to learn sign language.
Chapter format: Each chapter is broken up into two mini lessons with Practice Giving Signs, Fingerspelling Practice or Vocabulary Review, and Practice Receiving Signs in between each mini lesson. The chapter will conclude with some way to test your memory/comprehension from that chapter through either more practice, multiple choice, fill in the blank, or matching. Answers, and additional descriptions, are provided at the end of the book just before the index.
This is a great book to learn some basic sign language in a clear and direct way. If you wished to learn more in-depth sign language I would recommend either a different book, or taking a class.
Target Audience: Ages 8 and up
Depending on how motivated you are really determines the target audience for this how to book on sign language. Children younger than 8 may be able to learn some of the signs taught but perhaps not all, as they do become more difficult. There are children as young as 2 signing basic words such as more, food, please, etc. So while I have placed the target audience at 8, parts of the books could easily be used by parents who wish to teach their toddlers beginners sign language.
What I liked about this sign language book was that not only are their illustrations for each word, letter, or number being presented but there is also a written out description below if the illustration is not enough or difficult to comprehend. Additionally in the very beginning of the book there is a history of the language's creation and the first school for the deaf, as well as a "how to use this book" section.
Before actually getting into the many different hand signs there are some smaller sections on tips, hand shapes, and inflections that can be referenced as the learner goes through the book. Finally, after going over numbers, and the alphabet, the book turns into chapters covering topics such as Family & Social Life, Sports & Recreation, Education, and many more. I believe by splitting it up by topic/theme it gives the learner the ability to move about the book, at their own pace, instead of having to read it chapter to chapter. Therefore, the student has power over how they wish to learn sign language.
Chapter format: Each chapter is broken up into two mini lessons with Practice Giving Signs, Fingerspelling Practice or Vocabulary Review, and Practice Receiving Signs in between each mini lesson. The chapter will conclude with some way to test your memory/comprehension from that chapter through either more practice, multiple choice, fill in the blank, or matching. Answers, and additional descriptions, are provided at the end of the book just before the index.
This is a great book to learn some basic sign language in a clear and direct way. If you wished to learn more in-depth sign language I would recommend either a different book, or taking a class.
November 22, 2016
Good book especially if you are starting out. For someone looking for more advanced learning, i'd skip this one. Some of this is SEE sign, and i've found that some of the signs are different than what i've learned before, making me wonder if it's just slightly out of date.
Otherwise, a nice resource. Has practice sentences, word (Sign) association, and finger-spelling practice exercises.
Otherwise, a nice resource. Has practice sentences, word (Sign) association, and finger-spelling practice exercises.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews