Thanks for dropping by. Please inform me if you have any further info.

[/quote]


I've been to the sign language class in YMCA KL.
Yes, need to register for membership before can sign up or class.
Class consists of Level 1, 2 and 3 - mind you, there is exam for each level, which I didn't know until I went for their Level 1 sign language class. I was looking for sign language class to learn for additional knowledge and learn for fun, not to sign up for class where there's exam and that it's meant for those who will be sign language interpreters.
Level 1 emphasize a lot on visual, gesture and communication (VGC). I learn that the deaf always look at the facial expression and they have very expressive gestures when using sign language. So it's important to show what you are trying to "say" through your facial expression and gesture. Signing while looking like a robot (no gesture or facial expression) mean they will not understand the message you are trying to convey to them.
Level 2 is where starting to learn on sentence structure. How a sentence is created and how to sign them.
Never been to Level 3 but this is where one is serious about being interpreter for sign language.

Yes, Malaysian Sign Language / Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM) adopted a lot of it from the American Sign Language (ASL) - it is pretty similar and easily understood for most sign used.

Books wise, they recommend the vocabulary book and you can buy at Malaysian Federation of Deaf (MDF) at Puchong (google it for direction to get there). Title of the books are Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (Jilid 1) and Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (Jilid 2) - useful to learn how to sign certain words. You can check out how the book looks like here: http://nrlly.blogspot.com/2016/11/bahasa-i...sia-bim-or.html
I bought it for RM30 each (price as of year 2018)

Hope this helps.

It is a good experience to learn the sign language and may come in handy especially with people working in environment where they will most likely meet a deaf person and need to communicate with them.