ASL Vlog 9 - Persuasive Speech - Good English Writing Skill is Important
Good English writing skill is important, why? Because your written English skills are the main way many people judge your education, your intelligence, your work ability. Most hearing people do not know ASL. Many depend on written English to communicate with Deaf people. I understand that English is hard to learn if not your natural language. English is not a natural language of Deaf. ASL is a natural language. I grew-up learning English. Now I'm learning ASL. But ASL is hard, different grammar, different sentence structure, different words. If you're Deaf, English is hard. If you're hearing, ASL is hard. But English is important. If my ASL is not good, especially if I'm an interpreter, Deaf maybe think I do not try hard, that I'm not smart, or that I don't have a good education or teachers. Hearing and Deaf are same - both judge English and judge ASL.
Now good written English is even more important. Why? We depend on computers and the internet to find jobs. Most of the time an employer will contact you through email. If you respond with bad English you probably won't get an interview.
Recently, I saw a lecture by Deaf person. She was smart, fully deaf, with good education, and good English writing skills. She applied for a job. Her future boss contacted her through email. She responded and corresponded with good English and clear writing. Her future boss asked for an interview face-to-face. She showed up with interpreter. Future boss, he was shocked! He didn't know she was Deaf! He asked many questions and was much impressed. He offer her the job!
Now she has a great job and many people look up to her. How did she get the job, initially? Good English writing skills.
So, if you're hearing or if you're Deaf, doesn't matter. Good English writing skill is very important for success!
