ASL class further explores the Deaf world

On February 14, students from the American Sign Language I and II classes experienced Deaf culture in the real world.

Sixteen students, along with ASL teacher Mrs. Peterson, went on a tour of the Indiana School for the Deaf to take in the environment, as well as to learn more about Vincennes University’s unique two-year ASL program. The curriculum involves hands-on learning right on the campus of the ISD.

Elizabeth Blevins, 10, said that on the trip, “you had to learn how to adapt to the environment,” since ASL is the main form of communication used at the school.

Although the field trip put students in a new situation, their knowledge from ASL class helped them feel prepared for the experience.

“Mrs. Peterson teaches about Deaf culture, and you get more involved. It’s not just about the language, it’s about the Deaf community as a whole,” said Blevins, who plans on studying Deaf education in the future.

Samuel Jobe, president of Mt. Vernon’s ASL club, also went on the trip to learn more about Vincennes University, where he will be studying ASL after graduation.

“I like the fact that it’s at the Deaf school,” said Jobe, 12, about Vincennes’ ASL program. “I will be fully immersed in that secondary language, which other people wouldn’t get to experience.”

Regardless of plans for the future, the trip gave students interested in ASL a glimpse of the Deaf community outside of the typical classroom setting.