Newbie in need of assistance here

Burned out on school

The very thought of returning to the classroom makes me shudder to my core, though I’m 17 credits away from a BS in Technical Communications and a BS in Basic Science. I attempted to return part-time and I wasn’t in the least bit motivated, and I’ll spare you the details of the results of that fiasco.

8 of the 17 credits needed for both degrees are in a foreign language for both degrees and I’m lucky enough to speak English as it is (severely hard of hearing and English is a second language for me—the school I attended doesn’t recognize sign language as an academic language). I attempted the foreign language classes several time, but due to my hearing and speech problems, I had a lot of difficulty. I have 3 AAS degrees in Civil Engineering Technology, Science and Education. The school I attended for my Technical Communication and Basic Science Degrees is an excellent technical school—most of its BS degrees are considered and recognized to be the equivalent of an MS at most other schools.

I stumbled upon this site last week while looking for an institution that exchanged life experiences for credit on this site. Much to my relief there was a long list for Technical Communications/Communications BA/BS degrees, but I cannot seem to locate this information again. I have 5 years of technical writing and other related experience—therefore, if my prior education alone isn’t enough, surely 5 years of related job/life experience will tip the balance in my favor. I’m mostly interested in the technical communications degree for the time being, since it is the core of my livelihood.

I’m highly skeptical and yet hopeful that this will be a viable solution for me. Any and all help and input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanx,

Roady

 

LiveLadyRoadkill writes:

> the school I attended doesn’t recognize sign language as an
> academic language

For the uninitiated, let me point out that American Sign Language is a language: it is not a representation system like Braille. (There's something called "signed English" that is a representation system.) But American Sign Language has evolved through use over centuries (actually from Old French Sign Language). The syntax is unrelated to English; most notably, the word order is different. There is no one-to-one mapping with English words; when English uses the same word for two different concepts, ASL generally uses two different words. ASL is completely unrelated to British Sign Language, although it is related (but by no means identical) to French Sign Language.

LiveLadyRoadkill, have you considered asking a professor at Gallaudet University to write a letter to your school, making these points on your behalf?

 

Dear Liveladyroadkill:

As far as obtaining the degree(s) that have eluded you are concerned, you would seem to have two choices:
1. Transfer to a more accommodating college.
2. Satisfy the degree requirements at your current college(s).

1. Transfer to a more accommodating college.
There are three "assessment" colleges in the USA. They are Charter Oak State College (www.cosc.edu), Thomas Edison State College (www.tesc.edu), and Excelsior College (nee Regents College, www.regents.edu). All three colleges are Regionally Accredited, and have absolutely no limit on credit transfers (i.e. you can get a degree from any of the colleges without ever taking a single class from them). They also either facility "life experience" (aka "Portfolio", "RPL" [Recognition of Prior Learning], etc.) credit, or accept it from others. Of the three, COSC might be the best place to start if you're determined to get RPL/whatever credit (or other non-traditional credit).

N.B. Be forewarned that getting "life experience" credit from a real college (i.e. not one of those send-us-a-check-and-we'll-send-you-a-degree "colleges") involves a bit of work; merely proving that you are alive, and have had experiences, will not automatically garner you "life experience" credit! <g>

Also keep in mind that "The Big 3" only accept credit transfers from other Regionally Accredited colleges, or their foreign equivalents; if your current college(s) are not RA colleges, you may be able to get credit for your previous studies via "portfolio" review, or other means.

2. Satisfy the degree requirements at your current college(s).
If your college(s) will allow you to transfer credits in to your degree program from other colleges, then your disabilities should be readily overcome. For example, you could study Latin, which would (I think) mesh quite well with your (exclusive) interest in English, from Oklahoma University (http://isd.ou.edu/ulist.asp, http://isd.ou.edu/ucourse.asp?dept=Latin). You would then have one year to study at your own pace, in the privacy of your own home. You could play audio tapes (if supplied) at impressive volume levels, you could use any sort of adaptive devices you need, etc.

You might also want to consider earning credit via a CLEP, DANTES DSST, or other exams. Once again, you could prepare for the test by whatever means were most appropriate to your circumstances, taking as long as you require.

What ever course of action you take, you first need to get, or at least feign, a positive attitude! Although you would not be the first to conjugate verbs under duress, it is no recipe for success! <g>


Best regards,
Richard Kanarek

 

Richard's advice is sound.

But a college that refuses to recognize ASL as a language, is either showing its ignorance, or discriminating against deaf people -- and you shouldn't take that lying down. Some recent words of Dr Bear's come to mind:

Even if you are forced to go to one of the Big 3 assessment colleges to get your degree, how and why you were forced to do so would make an interesting media story.

 

There may be something you can do about the language courses. Most universities these days have special offices to serve students with disabilities. Schools must make reasonable accommodations to help disabled students succeed. Check with your disability office- maybe arrangements can be made to substitute the hearing and speach aspects of the course with written work and reading. Or perhaps special microphones can be provided to help you hear the instructor and your classmates better.

Also, if English is your second language, perhaps you could meet the language requirement by demonstrating profiency in your first language? (If your first language was sign language, then I guess you've already tried this tactic.)

Don't give up on your school, only 17 credits shy of your degree, without investigating the options thoroughly. You've come this far- you can finish it!

Best wishes,

Alex

 

Conversational vs. written proficiency

If I were you, I would check for DL (non-conversational) coursework in languages, i.e. Written German, or literature courses (although these are usually the more advanced). A couple years ago, I took a Brainbench (brainbench.com) test for fun and got a "Master of Written German." So, I think that some select school may also have some language courses that are focussed on the written aspects. Then, about 20 years ago, I took a German CLEP (and got the max. of 16 credits) but I don't remember if it had an audio section.

 

The CLEP language tests have an audio component.

Below is an interesting link that shows which states recognize ASL as a foreign language:

http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/infotogo/051ASL.html