American Sign Language Program Continues to Grow at Walkersville High School
by Benjamin Francis
The demand for American Sign Language at Walkersville High School is steadily increasing, and the amount of students taking ASL I, II, and III is almost pushing classroom capacity.
This year we welcomed a new ASL teacher Darrin Jones, as well as a higher level Sign Language class offered here at Walkersville High School. This is a sign of the growing popularity in learning this language, and the culture around it.
“People continue to come back because the deaf community is growing in Frederick, and it’s also interesting because it is not a spoken language,” said junior Madi Etzler. The language has been taught here for seven years by Dan Frank.
In Jones’s first year, students welcomed him to the WHS family, and he reflected on his first year teaching here. “I am really impressed with students attitude, and motivation to learn ASL. I am eager to continue teaching ASL for WHS!”
There are roughly 30 students in each Sign Language class including ASL III, which is being taught for the first time here at WHS. “My first time teaching ASL III was exciting, and great. Most of the students are good at signing, and getting better. The students do a lot of activities. I enjoyed it a lot and it was really fun, but for my first time teaching the class there was a lot to do. I had a lot of planning, and thinking to do; it was hard. I took a lot of papers, and activities from ASL books, and it was a lot of signing practice,” said Frank.
Students continue to find interest in ASL as well as a deeper love for the language and the vast history, and culture surrounding the language. “Students see their friends signing around school, and they think it’s cool and they want to learn it for themselves,” said junior Spencer Shortt.
Teachers Frank and Jones will continue to teach students the language and values of the Deaf Community and it is expected that students will keep coming back for more due to the rising numbers in students taking the classes.
