Outreach: Signing with confidence
This summer, a group of UGA students spent nearly two weeks in Paris, France, visiting an array of historic sites and immersing themselves in the city’s rich Deaf culture.
Now in its second year, the Mary Frances Early College of Education’s 10-day study abroad program gives American Sign Language (ASL) students the opportunity to learn about Deaf culture and history and discover new ways to immerse themselves in ASL.
“I want students to experience Deaf culture and to communicate without their voice while learning the history of ASL and how it’s connected to France,” said lecturer Brian Leffler. “After studying abroad, students learn little by little how to negotiate different cultures and languages. At the same time, they keep in mind that we are the same—we just have different communication and cultural aspects.”