Manny ASL sure can teach! Workshops.

In addition to performing his legendary ASL stories for almost twenty years, Manny Hernandez has provided many workshops. He is not a linguist nor a sign language instructor; he is more of a coach. He assists participants in realizing their full potential. He trains participants by analyzing their performances, targeting relevant skills, and providing constructive encouragement in weak areas. Specialties include:

* How do You Translate That?: Basic Scientific Concepts in ASL
* Frying Up Classifiers: Adding Spice to Your ASL
* Pacing and Relaxation Strategies for the Interpreter
* ASL Storytelling 101
* ASL Story Wow!: Appreciating the ASL Storyteller's Art
* Motivational Speaking

HOW DO YOU TRANSLATE THAT?: Basic Scientific Concepts in ASL

Manny teaches educational interpreters of any stripe as well as teachers, parents, and school staff how to convey many basic concepts of science and chemistry. He provides not only superb translations but also strategies on how to capitalize on the power of the classifier and rethink scientific concepts in ASL, not in English, therefore making the information truly accessible to Deaf clients in the classroom.

Two years ago, when working with the director Raymond Luczak, Manny decided to ham it up as a scientist explaining why it's hard to develop vaccines for certain viruses. While he wouldn't ham it up in such a workshop, it's worth seeing how he's able to convey complex concepts in an easily digestible way. The clip Virus vs. Vaccine is 6.2 MB in size.

Workshop length: Two (2) hours.

FRYING UP CLASSIFIERS: Adding Spice to Your ASL

Those who study ASL will find that one of Manny ASL's many strengths as a storyteller is his mastery and incorporation of classifiers in his work. Manny ASL teaches how to improve the use of classifiers in your ASL through a combination of discussion of how classifiers truly work in ASL and a series of exercises to help spice up your ASL.

Workshop length: Two (2) hours.

PACING AND RELAXATION STRATEGIES FOR THE INTERPRETER

Many interpreters often find their work challenging and physically demanding. It's no surprise that many of them require massage therapy. But there are techniques and strategies available to the interpreter on how to pace themselves properly and still meet the expectations of their Deaf clients. Various relaxation techniques will be explored.

Workshop length: One (1) hour.

ASL STORYTELLING 101

Manny teaches children of all ages how to create a story in ASL, one that combines both motion and emotion. He has also taught ASL-fluent adults how to develop their interest in sharing ASL stories of their own, and improve their rhythm and clarity of intent. He has of course given advanced workshops in ASL storytelling.

Workshop length: Two (2) hours.

ASL STORY WOW! Appreciating the ASL Storyteller's Art

It's usually difficult for novice ASL storytellers and ASL students to appreciate the ASL storyteller's art, so Manny will perform a few of his classic ASL stories and then break down why he made the choices to convey each development in the rising action of his stories. He will compare "bad" ASL sign/gestural choices versus the final ASL sign/gestural choice.

Workshop length: Two (2) hours.

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKING

He is an incredibly dynamic powerhouse when it comes to motivating children of all ages and all races to rethink their negative views of themselves and empower them to create goals for themselves whether in school or at home. As a man of Puerto Rican descent, he is especially interested in speaking to youths of color.

Presentation length: One (1) hour.

To book Manny for performances and workshops,
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H O M E