Whether through a soft smile from across the room, a pair of rolling eyes or a nod of confirmation, communication is a vital aspect of life that comes in all forms. During National Sign Language Month this September, students can learn about the significance of signing through Northwood’s American Sign Language program.
As one of only two Irvine schools offering ASL, Northwood’s three-year program offers a unique perspective on communication through various projects and activities that allow students to use ASL in a variety of settings. Aside from the language, the class also enriches students in Deaf culture, fostering empathy toward the Deaf community and the struggles that they face in a verbally communicative world.
“The reason I decided to start teaching ASL was because, even though most people could go their whole lives after high school never using ASL, I wanted everyone to leave this program being an advocate for the Deaf community,” ASL teacher Michele Pierce said. “Being a Deaf advocate in whatever field you go into is just so important and useful, and that’s my goal when I’m teaching in this program.”
Over the years, Pierce and her ASL students have strengthened the tight-knit community in Northwood’s ASL program. Learning a new language can be uncomfortable, but the empowering classroom environment helps students take risks and grow together.
“The class is really like a family already, and Ms. Pierce is so supportive,” freshman Paige Volpe said. “We’ve already done a project and learned all of the ASL alphabet, so I’m really excited to see what we do in the rest of the year.”
Through partner conversations, videos, projects and class discussions, the ASL classes are designed to help students gain lifelong communication and social skills. For example, students may become more conscious about seemingly harmless habits, such as having conversations without those around them understanding or talking with their mouths full.
“At first, I picked ASL because I thought it would just be a fun, easy class to take,” Volpe said. “But now, I really love the class, the community and the people in it, and I feel like there is just so much that I’ve already learned about the Deaf community that I had never even thought about before.”
To learn more and spread awareness about Deaf culture, follow the ASL Club @nhs_aslclub on Instagram for information about their bi-weekly club meetings on odd Fridays in Room 1426.