Students learning American Sign Language (ASL) through the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center (ECOESC) recently had the opportunity to bring their language skills to life during an annual ASL immersion trip to Washington, D.C., and Frederick, Maryland.
The experience allows students to apply what they have learned in the classroom in real-world environments while gaining a deeper understanding of Deaf culture and community.
A highlight of the trip included visiting Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the world’s largest university designed specifically for Deaf and hard of hearing students, where the majority of students and staff are also Deaf, with hearing students making up no more than 10% of enrollment in any given year.
Students also visited the Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick, Maryland, a residential school where they had the opportunity to interact with Deaf peers and observe daily life in a Deaf-centered educational environment.
Throughout the trip, students remained voice-off in all settings outside of the bus and hotel. This practice encouraged students to communicate exclusively through sign language, helping them strengthen their ASL skills and build confidence using the language in authentic situations.
“It is an incredible gift to be able to witness each and every student stay in the target language with their voice off, and continue to communicate with native speakers throughout the experience,” said Michele Carlisle, Distance Education Coordinator at East Central Ohio Educational Service Center. “We take students from all levels of ASL learning, including ASL I, so students have to reach deep to continue to engage in meaningful conversation when the language is the only way to communicate. We are thankful to the districts that continue to allow their students to participate in this valuable learning experience.”
The immersion experience is offered annually to students enrolled in the ECOESC ASL program and serves as an important extension of their language studies. By engaging directly with members of the Deaf community and visiting institutions dedicated to Deaf education, students gain a greater appreciation for the language, culture, and experiences of Deaf individuals.
Programs like the ASL immersion trip help students move beyond classroom learning and experience language as a living, everyday form of communication.
