I tried to experience this video, billed as "an introduction to Signed Exact English," as its hearing-impaired audience would. I turned off the sound, activated the closed caption feature on my TV, and tried to learn S.E.E. from the likable young host of this well intentioned title. Ten minutes into it, I realized the problem. I can read. I learned what signs I could follow by matching the motions with the written words on the screen. How, I wondered, would a hearing-impaired child who does not yet read (and the content seems clearly geared toward a pre-reading age group) connect any meaning with the signs being demonstrated? The only equivalent adult experience I can think of would be trying to learn a foreign language from a video without English subtitles. In both cases, the absence of any known reference point to which the new language can be connected makes learning an impossible challenge. Thus, although well presented and pleasantly delivered, this video ultimately fails to achieve its purpose. Not recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Cichewicz)
See Me Sing
(1997) 25 min. $19.95. Shooting Star Media. PPR. Color cover. Closed captioned. Vol. 14, Issue 3
See Me Sing
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