At Gallaudet University, dedicated to deaf and hard-of-hearing students, not everyone possesses proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) upon arrival. Recognizing this, the university offers a program designed to assist students in acquiring ASL skills.
On August 21, students took part in JumpStart, an ASL immersion orientation program held at the Washington D.C. campus. With weeks remaining before the academic year commences, approximately thirty-six new students engaged in a team-building activity. The exercise required them to figure out who among them might be the “assassin,” promoting both interaction and the use of ASL.
One participant, communicating in ASL, questioned, “Bro, why are you saying me?” This interaction highlights the program’s role in fostering communication skills and building confidence among incoming students.