Tips & Tricks to Learning Sign Language
Tip # 1: Practicing in front of a mirror or video yourself while signing.
I thought this was a good tip for beginners learning any sign language. It enables you to watch yourself and pick up on any signs you're doing wrong. If you film yourself signing and compare it to a video guide, you are able to correct yourself much more easily and it teaches you to look into the camera/other person rather than your hands.
(https://aslrochelle.com/blog/learn-asl-in-31-days-7-ways-to-not-forget - Tip #2)
Tip # 3: Use online resources.
Obviously when you're practicing at home your teacher isn't there to correct you and you can't expect your friends to be available everyday to practice with you. Using online resources can be very useful when learning sign language. NZSL has its very own website and an app that you can download and use as a guide for when you forget something or if you want to learn new words. Just remember to check with your teacher whether the words you've learned are correct and used appropriately.
Practicing with others is pretty self explanatory. It's more enjoyable when you have a friend learning sign language with you. You can correct each other, have conversations together and help each other catch up on any missed classes. Learning any language can be scary, but with someone by your side, the journey may be a little easier (and definitely more fun).
(http://www.wikihow.com/Learn-American-Sign-Language - Part 3: Practical Experience - Tip # 2)
Tip # 4: Use sign language with a deaf person.
Using sign language with someone who is fluent and uses the language everyday is a good way to learn. Having a deaf person as a teacher is even better. If sign language is their only means of communicating then it will be the only way you can communicate to them. The more you sign, the faster you learn.
(http://thesedeafeyes.tumblr.com/post/7251166584/10-tips-for-learning-studying-american-sign - Tip #10)
Tip # 5: Remember that sign language requires more than just your hands.
To communicate in sign language you need to do more than just sign with your hands. Facial expression, positioning of the hands and sometimes head movement and mouth movement. Some words in sign require you to mouth out the word while you sign. Nodding or shaking your head while signing can determine whether you can or can't do something or if you like or don't like something, etc. When asking questions like 'where' or 'when' requires you to furrow your eyebrows, while when signing yes/no questions you lift your eyebrows. Remembering this and including these factors while signing will enforce good habits and ensure you are signing a word correctly.
(https://www.fluentin3months.com/asl-summary/ - Tip #1)
Tip # 2: Practice with other people.
(http://thesedeafeyes.tumblr.com/post/7251166584/10-tips-for-learning-studying-american-sign - Tip #8 & 9)
Link to NZSL online dictionary: https://nzsl.vuw.ac.nz/
