1. To communicate with the Deaf. ASL is the fourth most-used language in the United States. 2. People who are deaf appreciate it. Deaf people have to go their entire day living in a hearing world. Something as simple for us as ordering food can be a major ordeal for them. By learning ASL and being able to sign when deaf customers come in, you could make their whole day by allowing them to communicate clearly and without any misunderstandings. 3. It can save lives. If you want to be a nurse, police officer, firefighter, EMS or any other kind of first responder, you should know at least some ASL. I have heard countless heartbreaking stories of deaf people who are unable to communicate in a crisis and end up having to face the consequences through no fault of their own. They have been given medications they're allergic to by nurses, misunderstood, arrested and shot by cops and unable to communicate in times of crisis. If these people, at least, knew enough ASL to communicate during a time where an interpreter can't be there fast enough, so many lives could be improved and even saved. 4. Hearing parents can communicate with their Deaf child. More than 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents. 88% of those parents do not know sign language. 5. Sometimes a manual language is so much easier than a spoken language. Go ahead talk in the movies, no one's going to hear you! Lost your voice? No problem you don't need it! ASL can be a great tool in so many situations you never know when it may come in handy (pun intended)! 6. We teach it to our babies. Babies learn ASL for a reason. It's a great way to communicate using our hands and babies can sign before they can talk which results in less tantrums. So if our babies can learn it, then so can we. 7. You gain interpersonal skills. The key to sign language is being able to read people. Eye gaze, body language, mouth movement and eyebrow movement are critical in determining the meaning of a sign and the tone that comes with it. These are all skills that are useful in other contexts. 8. You will never loose at charades again! And I'm not saying to cheat by signing the word! Because so much of ASL is body movement and depicting different things with your face and hands, charades becomes almost second nature. And since ASL is a visual language, many of the signs are based on what things look like, which is the first thing people try to show when playing charades. 9. Everyone will be jealous of you! ASL is a fascinating language because unlike other languages we see it. That makes people instantly jealous when you can use your hands to converse with a whole group of people who live in your town or city. 10. Sign language brings together Hearing & Deaf people. ASL is a beautiful language. One of my favorite things in the world is seeing people sign ASL poetry because of just how beautiful it is to watch. Even in everyday conversations it is refreshing to see something that is so conceptual, yet beautiful at the same time.
Texas Essential Standards and Skills §113.44. United States Government (One-Half Credit), Beginning with School Year 2011-2012. Focus on the principles and beliefs upon which the United States was founded and on the structure, functions, and powers of government at the national, state, and local levels. This course is the culmination of the civic and governmental content and concepts studied from Kindergarten through required secondary courses. Students learn major political ideas and forms of government in history. A significant focus of the course is on the U.S. Constitution, its underlying principles and ideas, and the form of government it created. Students analyze major concepts of republicanism, federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights and compare the U.S. system of government with other political systems. Students identify the role of government in the U.S. free enterprise system and examine the strategic importance of places to the United States. Students analyze the impact of individuals, political parties, interest groups, and the media on the American political system, evaluate the importance of voluntary individual participation in a constitutional republic, and analyze the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Students examine the relationship between governmental policies and the culture of the United States. Students identify examples of government policies that encourage scientific research and use critical-thinking skills to create a product on a contemporary government issue.
What CAREER OPPORTUNITIES can an Asl interpreter lead to?