As most people know, American Sign Language (ASL) is used for communicating with the deaf, hearing impaired, or those who are non-verbal. An essay by Sara Davies, Sarah O’Brien and Matthew Reed from the University of Vermont titled "American Sign Language as a Foreign Language,” defines sign language as a "complete complex language that employs signs made with the hands and other movements, including facial expressions and postures of the body.”

Sign language also can be used with those who have Down-syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy. Many people with these conditions learn sign language as children. For some, it is their only form of communication. Unfortunately, if people have to struggle to find a way to learn sign language they are more likely not to learn it and therefore they will have a harder time communicating with those who have any of the other conditions mentioned.

They also will have a harder time communicating with the deaf community. Researchers from the University of Vermont found that there are an estimated 100,000 to 500,000 people in the United States who use ASL as a first language. If so many people use ASL why don't more schools teach ASL so that more people have the option to learn sign language if they so choose?

Therefore, more schools should offer ASL as a foreign language. Yes, ASL is only used in the US and Canada, but Sherman Wilcox, a linguist at the University of New Mexico, writes: "A language’s place of origin has little to do with its status as a foreign language at most universities.” If the place of origin has little to do with a language’s foreign language status at most universities, why does that prevent high schools from offering ASL as a foreign language class? So maybe ASL’s origin technically doesn't make it a foreign language, but shouldn't the fact that most of the details about ASL is foreign play a role in whether or not ASL is considered a foreign language?

Recognizing ASL as a foreign language would mean that it could and should be offered as a foreign language class in high schools. Schools usually claim that they are trying to prepare their students for college and future careers, but how can they prepare students who want to become ASL interpreters when they won't even consider offering ASL classes? According to a 2018 article on work.chron.com there is an expected 18% growth between now and 2026 for interpreters. There is going to be an increase in demand for interpreters and high school students are expected to prepare themselves to meet that demand, but they have no chance if schools don’t offer ASL.

I understand some people will say that ASL shouldn't be considered a credit-worthy foreign language because its origin isn't foreign or that because most people who use ASL read and write in English, but think about how many lives could be changed by allowing students the option to learn ASL to communicate with people who are always verbal or have to work ten times harder to get what they want because ASL isn't always easily interpreted of because the person doesn't have access to an interpreter.

Sign language is so important to the deaf community and those who are non-verbal or have conditions that make speaking difficult, but we are making their lives even harder by making it harder for high school students to learn ASL. Think about why we learn any foreign language in the first place. Considering ASL a foreign language benefits those who learn it, those who need it, and all of us.