of the
times
Sign
ASL, the 'secret'
language, growing
in popularity
By Sherry Posnick-Goodwin
S I E R R A S A N J O S E didn't have
a difficult time when it came to
selecting a foreign language. American
Sign Language (ASL) won hands down.
Or hands up, rather.
She and other students gesturing
excitedly in the beginning ASL class at
Murrieta Valley High School are learn-
ing how to communicate with the Deaf
community. Laughter is the only sound
in the classroom as they communicate
silently with their hands.
"I love this class," whispers student
Savanna Swift. "It comes pretty easy to
me. I'm a kinesthetic learner, and I talk
with my hands a lot."
Teacher Dianna Lippe is fighting
a co l d a n d h a s l a r y n g i t i s , b u t s t u -
dents in her crowded classroom don't
n o t i ce . T h e y f i n d h e r exa g ge ra te d
f acial expressions priceless as she
mugs and signs love (crossing hands
over the chest) and old (pulling an
imaginary beard).
"For Hearing students, learning ASL offers
insight into other world views and ways of
living, and learning that to be Deaf is not
necessarily a handicap or calamity," says
Donald Grushkin.
Want to learn American Sign Language?
Check this out!
wikihow.com/Learn-American-Sign-Language
Feature
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