Life, as he knew it, was making shapes with his hands to communicate what most people can do with words. There had always been a language barrier when it came to doing simple tasks. And it was even more upsetting that he couldn’t hear the same tones that other people were familiar with. It separated him from others and he wanted to make a change. He earned his degree in ASL and had the goal set to teach his language. When he first started, many people were intrigued. His classes were full of people that were captivated by the language. They found enjoyment by learning that it was way more than just handshapes, but facial expressions and body language. Being in the class allowed them to dive deeper into things they thought they already knew. Unfortunately, as years have passed, students have been less interested. Students that were taking the class out of gratification like years before, were nowhere to be seen. Now, as he walks into the classroom he finds students on their phone and speaking a tongue he’s unable to understand. His hearing aid will squeak and crack from the mechanics trying to decipher the sounds. Not only is it overwhelming, but devastating that the students don’t want him to understand what they are talking about. Although these students are supposed to learn to communicate with him, the barrier has grown back. Now, Kyle Viola wants students to regain their enthusiasm.
As years go on there has been a steady decline in the number of people continuing to take higher ASL classes. If the student population continues to decline, the class could be removed. Acknowledging ASL is just as difficult to learn than any other language is helpful to uphold it as a language. Students enrolled or about to take ASL one or two can think about joining the advanced classes.
In other typical foreign languages you are able to learn by listening to syllables and connecting what is similar to your own language. In ASL you have to go from scratch and use your eyes to learn symbols and facial expressions rather than sounds.
“We learn different techniques and ways of signing, not just American Sign Language, but also SEE, Total communication, etc.” junior Imari Brown said. “There are lots of lessons that are taught in the beginner classes but once you continue through all four years you get to dive deeper into those “beginner” TEKS we learn.”
In the 2023-2024 school year there were 16 people in total between ASL three and four. 2024-2025 it dropped down to 12. With the upcoming year, ASL teacher Kyle Viola has only gotten a couple of students to sign up for ASL three.
“I feel sad,” Viola said. “I think if students want to learn that’s great but if they don’t then I can’t do anything about it.”
According to Viola, students are not paying attention in most classes and have been harming electives such as ASL. Classes that explore more in depth topics are being pushed away for others that are deemed as easy.
“I think people don’t understand that ASL is a visual language and don’t appreciate learning it,” Viola said. “If students paid attention more and asked more questions they would understand the language better. Students don’t ask enough questions.”
People that take the regular class should think about what it can do to help them in the future. This could be building a larger community or trying to learn an enriched dying language.
“For anyone who is thinking about continuing their journey in ASL I say go for it! There will be so many things that you’ll learn about this language that many don’t even know about,” Brown said. “And, believe it or not, it gets more fun after the ASL 1/2. You’ll get so much more freedom and opportunity.”
