[NFB-Braille-Discussion] Curriculum Question

[redwing731 at gmail.com]

Hi all! 
I think of learning braille is kind of like learning a language on paper. In
the case of braille, I was not taught to read with all of my fingers because
the teachers I got had me use one finger, but I can use that finger
effectively whenever I do read braille. I use the finger pad which is the
name of the fleshy part of the finger, not the very tip of the finger since
the pad of the finger allows me to see that a P is actually a P, not an F.
I'm not a speed racer with braille but on paper, I read faster than I do on
a braille display. I still enjoy reading on a braille display because
braille is a lot more accessible in electronic form. I can also read English
and Spanish in braille because I have been learning Spanish since the fall
of 2020. One good way to improve reading braille is to read regularly, and
often every day. You don't have to read a bunch of braille in one chunk
because fingers can experience finger strain, but you can read small bits of
braille throughout the day. This works in language learning on paper as well
as it does with braille. The rules, tips and tricks work across the board.
Make sure that you take breaks if you feel like you are reading until your
finger is going nome. It's ok to return to your braille later in the day if
your finger gets tired. I don't care if you read braille with one finger or
all of them, but I hope you can practice reading it every day, throughout
the day. I also agree with being confortable while reading because that will
help motivate you as you practice. I think practice is the key to being able
to read at a decent speed. The more you practice, the better you'll get,
just like it is when you learn anything else. I hope this helps! 
Kendra 


-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-Braille-Discussion <nfb-braille-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org> On
Behalf Of Debbie Gabe via NFB-Braille-Discussion
Sent: Monday, March 25, 2024 10:41 AM
To: 'NFB Braille Discussion List' <nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Debbie Gabe <dgabe808 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFB-Braille-Discussion] Curriculum Question

Hi
To answer your first question - it sounds like you are reading with your
fingertips. That's a no-no. In forder to feel the entire cell, you need to
read with  the space  kind of between fingertips and fleshy part of your
finger (forgot what it's called). So your main reding finger should only
have a very slight subtle bend in it. And your fingertip should not point to
the paper, but rather to the top of the page. Does that make sense? It's
hard to describe. 

Also you should have all 4 of your fingers for botrh hands on the lineof
braille. Please do not every try to red with onefinger. Some braille
teachers teach that and it's a really bad habit to get in to.
With all 8 fingers on the page, you will have an easier time finding the end
of a line , and the beginning of the next line and won't get lost, although
you never complained at that.

Read as often as you can. The late great Jerry Whittle, who taught braille
with adults for over 30 years, used to recommend that they read at least an
hour a day. It can be broken up into 10 or 20 minute sessions, or whatever
works best. But it should add up to at least 60 minutes.
When I was learning at age 55 years old, I carried my braille wherever I
went, on the bus, in a car, to appointments, to work, to the movies,
everywhere and read when I got a chance and had to wait.

But you do need to be relaxed - from your head and shoulders, neck down your
arms to to your hands. And posture needs to be good, head up, relaxed. Take
slow deep breaths if that helps.
Good luck.
Reading speed comes with a lot of pages under your fingers.
Oh, and also try rereading passages that you already are familiar with.
That's a technique used by teachers of sighted people for increasing reading
speed. It's important in braille also. That way, you will learn to focus on
the overall shape of the word rather than individual dots in each character.
- Don't know if that makes sense. But try it.
I know it's frustrating, but bear with it and you will see benefits.
Debbie
Braille is literacy! ,


-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-Braille-Discussion <nfb-braille-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org> On
Behalf Of Sanho Steele-Louchart via NFB-Braille-Discussion
Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2024 11:11 PM
To: nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sanho Steele-Louchart <sanho817 at gmail.com>
Subject: [NFB-Braille-Discussion] Curriculum Question

All: 

Two issues for which I'd appreciate your recommendations. 

First, regularly missing the bottommost dots in a cell. Reading G rather
than ER, F rather than P, etc. People have told me not to scrub. Does
additional acuity come with practice? 

Second, my speed is quite slow and reading itself quite tiring, resulting in
very little practice. This needs to change. Do we recommend 10 pages until
someone can read 30 then 30 until they can read 50? Or perhaps simply
reading as often as humanly possible? 

Warmth,
Sanho
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