I went to a college with a language requirement. I was a special education major so I took ASL. I absolutely loved it. Half the class was education majors and the other half was student athletes because ASL is viewed as "easy".

Anonymous wrote:My kid took two years of it in addition to another language. She really liked it but the class did not move very quickly—her impression was most of the kids were taking it in search of an easy class. She had a perfect grade in the class and was barely trying.
She did really enjoy it though and it was nice to have a class that was not very stressful.

My kid took two years of it in addition to another language. She really liked it but the class did not move very quickly—her impression was most of the kids were taking it in search of an easy class. She had a perfect grade in the class and was barely trying.
She did really enjoy it though and it was nice to have a class that was not very stressful.

Thanks everyone! This is very helpful information! Appreciate all of it!

As a pp has posted many colleges will accept ASL. Some will not. If the schools your dc is looking at do not accept ASL I would suggest contacting the department head for the major your dc is looking at. University of Delaware does not accept ASL. My dd took this school off of her list and applied to other schools. After the application period was over dd was at an event and was seated at a table with the department head from UD. During their lunch discussion the department head told dd she would look into her application to UD and "put in a good word". DD had to tell her that she didn't apply because of the ASL issue. The department head was disappointed and asked dd to spread the word that applicants should never take a school off of their list for this reason without first reaching out to their intended department to see if a waiver is available.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, technically. Just be aware that (unfairly), colleges are going to see ASL as a "lesser" foreign language. Yes, I know that's terrible and ableist, but it's also true and you should know it just in case it matters to you or your child.

There are typically four components to learning a new language: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. ASL is analogous to the speaking and listening components only; that is why it may be viewed differently by colleges.

Many very good schools will accept the ASL in place of a foreign language. This is especially true of state schools. My DD did three years of it in high school and got into several top 50 colleges. It might not be good enough for Ivy League, but that still leaves a lot of good schools. You can call the various admissions offices if there is one in particular you are interested in.

It means they have taken the required language class to graduate a MoCo high school, but it doesn't necessarily mean they have taken the language study required to enter certain colleges. It will depend on the requirements of individual colleges.

Anonymous wrote:I would add that if the student wants to take ASL and then can show they put it to good use that would likely be viewed positively.

This is true. If your essay is about how you want to study to work with the D/HoH community, or study early intervention for kids with language disorders, then taking ASL would be a plus in college admissions. That's a good point.

I would add that if the student wants to take ASL and then can show they put it to good use that would likely be viewed positively.

Yes, technically. Just be aware that (unfairly), colleges are going to see ASL as a "lesser" foreign language. Yes, I know that's terrible and ableist, but it's also true and you should know it just in case it matters to you or your child.

If my HS student takes 2 years of ASL (american sign language), will that meet the world language requirement? Thanks!