Northwestern students learned how to communicate with their hands and facial expressions instead of their voices at the American Sign Language Club’s first beginners’ workshop Sunday.
The event aimed to introduce students to basic ASL words and expressions, as well as garner interest and appreciation for the language. About a dozen students attended the workshop, which was held at Norris University Center.
“American Sign Language is about being able to converse with the deaf community,” said ASL club president Jing Cao, a Weinberg senior. “It’s fun and fascinating, and I think everybody should get a chance to try it out.”
The hourlong workshop consisted of learning the ASL alphabet, basic sentence structures and simple conversational topics such as introductions and questions.
The workshop was led by Kathryn Lalla, the vice president of ASL Club. Lalla draws experience from three years of ASL classes in high school and one at NU.
“We all decided as an executive board to start holding workshops because we wanted to give people a real learning experience,” the Weinberg sophomore said.
Students not only were taught vocabulary words but also learned tips about facial expressions and control of hand movements. Lalla encouraged participants to practice the language in their free time.
“It’s hard maintaining these skills with just meeting once a week,” Lalla said. “I’m hoping that the people who came have enough interest in ASL to take time outside of the workshop to practice.”
Lalla said the ASL class at NU is no longer being offered, and she hopes to garner enough interest from supporters to petition for the course’s return.
This workshop was the first in a weekly series of ASL workshops that will be held over the academic year. Students of all abilities are welcome to attend, organizers said.
“I thought the workshop was great because I like learning how to communicate with people I wouldn’t normally be able to communicate with,” McCormick freshman Jenn Kroon said.
In addition to attending the workshops, students can further develop their skills by joining the ASL Club, which meets at 8 p.m. Thursdays on the second floor of Norris.
The club focuses on learning words relating to a certain theme or concept. They also use supplemental songs and videos.
“Sign language certainly takes some getting used to,” Cao said. “However, it’s going to be really rewarding for those who stick with it.”
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Twitter: @LanNguyen_NU
