The high school class that has shaped my education the most is American Sign Language. Sign language is used throughout the world in different variations by using a combination of hand shapes and facial expressions to communicate to deaf people. A common misconception is that sign language is not an actual language, but it is recognized as a foreign language by a majority of colleges in America. It is used by thousands of deaf and hearing people everyday. For most deaf people, ASL is the only “voice” they have. Just because it is not spoken, doesn’t mean it isn’t any less of a form of communication.
I started taking ASL in ninth grade, and I instantly fell in love with the concepts of the language. I have taken the class for a total of three years, and hope to pursue more classes in college. I found it extremely interesting that communication was possible with my hands, and that I could connect to a community that I didn’t even know, as a hearing person, existed. I began to become so invested in the class that I spent time practicing my signing outside of school. What I’ve learned from sign language is extensive. Not only have a learned a beautiful language and learned the culture that surrounds it, but it has helped me throughout my life too. If a situation arises where a deaf person and hearing person have a language barrier, I could step in and help those people. The language and the experience I have, has helped me to have a positive outlook on life, and to not take advantage of things as common as the ability to hear.
ASL has shaped my education because it has opened my eyes to people’s lifestyles, that are different from mine. And to this day, I think about how grateful I am that I can have an education just because I can hear. Everyone deserves an education above the 4th grade, as most deaf people are limited to. I’ve learned so much from ASL and my amazing teachers and peers. I hope to encourage people to learn sign language, to educate them on ways to not overlook deaf people, and be a part of something that’s beautiful and life changing.
