For those of you who are interested in ASL and learning a bit, but can not get to a class or have a Tutor; there is an online Self-Course available. I am always encouraging hearing people to learn ASL, it is a beautiful language and you never know when you will run into a Deaf person. Have you notice how many TV shows have had a Deaf person on them? Cold Case had a Deaf story line, Dancing with the Stars had Marlee Matlin, Survivor I believe had a Deaf person (I missed that season for some reason), Super Nanny had a Deaf Family and now Amazing Race has a Deaf guy! GO LUKE AND MARGIE!!! I think it is wonderful! I especially love to see that the shows are showing the "Hearing World" that Deaf people can do anything they can do, but hear!!!
Here is a little about the Self-Course:
ASL University is an online curriculum resource for American Sign Language students, instructors, interpreters, and parents of deaf children.
Feel free to use the various lessons and resources for self-study at no cost. There is no need to register or pay. These resources are free for your personal study. If you are a teacher, you have permission to use the lessons to teach your in-person classes.
I encourage you to check out the site, book mark it and visit at your leisure. I hope some of you will take the time to learn at least the alphabet, because you just never know when it will come in handy!
I have been tutoring a couple of people in ASL the past few months. I charge a reasonable rate as many of them are students in High School or College. I am trying to decide if I want to draw up a Tutoring Contract for when they do not show up, yet I am still left there waiting. This happened to me recently, where I went to the Starbucks that we had agreed upon, I texted them to be sure they were going to show (no response), and I called when they didn't show up on time. I was hung up on, now I do not know if this was because my lack of hearing what they were saying or if they were just being rude. Needless to say, I was pretty upset. I had driven out of my way to accommodate their schedule and I had to sit in Rush Hour traffic on the way home. Now being that I just moved, I have plenty to do around here and feel my time was wasted. I feel like they still owe me for that time that I spent waiting for them the other day. I got an email today wanting to confirm our time today. I voiced my concerns and let them know that I was upset. I also changed the location closer to my house, that way if they do not show again, I am not sitting in traffic. I wanted to ask some of your opinions, do you think I should create a contract? If so, do I charge full or half price when they do not show? What about canceling? If they do not give me at least 6 hours notice, do I charge them the same as if they didn't show? Your opinions are greatly appreciated!
You should definitely draw up a contract, don't let your time and yourself get taken advantage of! You should be paid for the time even if they don't show up.
ReplyDeleteIn your contract you need to state that they need to let you know a few hours before (or whatever time frame you want) that they wont be able to make it. If they don't notify you, then they still need to compensate you for going out of your way! Even if the meeting place is close to home or at home, you took time out of your schedule to make time for them.
Good luck!
Absolutely! Draw up a Contract for your services and in the contract show what you will charge for no-shows/cancellations without notice, etc. Just like doctors and other professionals do. Your time is money - and, you are a professional. A Contract is a must in my opinion, otherwise you have no way of enforcing your terms. It needen't be lengthy or too legal, just outline the services to be rendered, or number of hours, specific dates, and, if they miss any of the dates, they have to pay for them anyway, and what you will charge for late cancellations. Cancellations must be made 24 (or 48) hours in advance to avoid paying a cancellation ge. That sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteSee, I'm already participating in your blog site, LOL
maggie@mannwieler.com
How do I go to ASL University? I wish you had put a link in your post:)
ReplyDeletemaggie@mannwieler.com