ASL

Location: Washington, D.C.

Opportunity Found Through: Alumni in Brown Sit and Sign

Paid: No, but certain fellowships at Brown (including Guiliano Fellowship) may cover housing and travel expenses. 

Language Requirement: ASL

Application Process: To be admitted into the ASLConnect Summer Learning Residency program at Gallaudet, you would fill out the online form saying which class you wanted to take (Classifiers, fingerspelling, or ASL 1-5, and maybe 6 if the schedule offered it). Then you would sign up for an interview so they can place you in the appropriate level.

Position: Student

Description: Our Summer Residency Program offers a place where participants from all over the nation and the world share a common goal of wanting to accelerate their learning of American Sign Language (ASL). This academic program happens at Gallaudet University campus in person, the only university designed specifically for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in the world! ASL courses offered in two-week sessions throughout the summer allow participants like you to increase their language competency without the distractions of their day-to-day lives with the option to stay in our campus dorms.

Language Use: Cultural experiences was the full ASL immersion as I took classes at a college designed for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. I lived in a residence hall designed for Deaf people and attended classes and events with Deaf people. 

Impact on Language Skills: My vocabulary and signing fluency in comprehension and production improved dramatically. I also feel I've learned more about Deaf culture and different perspectives signing with people from the community.

Link: https://gallaudet.edu/asl-connect/summer-residency-program/ 

Contact Information: Camille Aquino '24 (camille_aquino@brown.edu) 

Location: Providence, RI

Paid: No

Language Requirement: Professional working proficiency in ASL

Application Process: Email the secretary and set up a meeting with the principal.

Position: Teaching Assistant

Description: Help teach the first graders once a week. Sometimes help with ASL and English vocab, math tests, escort the students around the school

Language Use: The kids are deaf or hard of hearing so I would communicate with them in ASL.

Impact on Language Skills: It's good to practice people of different demographics (e.g. age). I find it hard to understand kids sometimes because their signs are sometimes off or deviates from what I've learned, so it's great practice for my comprehension. also teaching people in another language helps me keep thinking in that language

Link: https://rideaf.ri.gov 

Contact Information: Camille Aquino '24 (camille_aquino@brown.edu) 

Location: Providence, RI

Paid: No

Language Requirement: Professional working proficiency in ASL

Application Process: Apply through Swearer Center

Position: Tutor

Description: Tutor Deaf and hard-of-hearing adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities in writing, math, and budgeting or other life skills they want to work on.

Language Use: I communicate in ASL with them and if they have Perspectives staff members with them, I sometimes sign with them too.

Impact on Language Skills: It's very good practice because sometimes my students sign very fast or use different variations of signs so I've come to improve using my context clues to communicate effectively with them.

Link: https://brown.givepulse.com/group/124231-Community-Corps-PAL-Partnership-for-Adult-Learning 

Contact Information: Camille Aquino '24 (camille_aquino@brown.edu)