Advice for sign language class

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I love taking British Sign Language (BSL), because I was so late learning to speak as a child and speaking in front of others was so difficult for me at school I really struggled learning other languages at school, so last year I took BSL thinking because it's non-verbal I might have a better chance of learning this language, and I was right!

The job centre made me leave my last BSL course so I've had to re-enrol in a new class at a different college, which is a bit of a problem as it's considerably further away from home and it's the same college I went to in my teens - when I went to this college before I didn't speak to anyone, I didn't know about asperger's back then, I'd have meltdowns and the tutors just used to act like I was simple-minded. So I'm a little uncomfortable with the change of having to go to this college instead.

When I enrolled on this new BSL course I noticed they've changed the college to incorporate a nice new Learning Support Service, when I informed them I have asperger's they had me talk to someone from the Autism Support Team who said they could let my BSL tutor know, and give any support if I needed it - not sure what support could be given in this case, maybe helpful when it comes to exams (they video you signing answers to tutors questions, which is a bit tough for me). I'm also pretty happy that this college is also where the local asperger's/autism social inclusion group is too, so they seem to have changed a lot in recent years to be more ASD-friendly. See this page.

The problem is that you obviously have to practice your signs with others in the class, I just about managed in my last class but I'd still find it hard to continue practising the signs once I had done them once or knowing what the next step in the conversation was. Of course during signing people still actually talk; conversations, small-talk, getting to know you conversations where I freeze-up...and the inevitable situation where people in class start becoming friendly with each other, chatting in breaks, things I'm always left out of and that result in me standing round not knowing what to do with myself. Last time in college I was too scared to go to the canteen so not sure if I can go in there during breaks, we can't eat/drink in class, and I no longer smoke, so not sure what I'm actually going to do during breaks

I'm a little worried about how I'm going to cope in this class - the combination of it being a change, new class, interacting with new people, worry just in case people in the class are deaf (...and wonder why the hell I'm there as a hearing person), and signing...although easier than speaking in front of people there's still a bit of fear there.

Anyone any tips that may help?

Tempera paint isn't water proof. Cardboard sags when wet.

Deep breaths.
Also, thanks for the link to that college. Hopefully it'll help me help others at school.

Well on the point of worrying what they'll think of you being there as a hearing person, dismiss that one because you may have a deaf relative , or wish to one day teach bsl so you certainly dont have to be deaf to learn it. I think it's a very worthwhile thing to learn. No further tips , other than, just DO IT. Try to realise that while other people may or may not have AS, a lot of people are shy or not as comfortable in social situations as you may think, they just force themselves to do things anyway, and may not be feeling as socially at ease as they come across. In the canteen, you could always bring a book to read if you feel uncomfortable, it's perfectly acceptable to sit reading a book while you eat.