Released: May 15, 2011
ASL Immersion Cruise to set sail May 21
Vacation cruise ships and sign language aren’t often thought of together, but some Saint Francis University students are combining the two into a valuable learning experience.
These students will be part of the American Sign Language Cruise 2011 (May 21-28) on the largest cruise ship in the world, Oasis of the Seas Cruise Ship (Royal Caribbean). They will accompany a group that specializes in travel with Deaf passengers on vacations and ensures equal access for these passengers. More than 450 Deaf travelers have registered for the cruise along with 26 Nationally Certified Interpreters.
Students at Saint Francis have the opportunity to take basic sign language courses as part of their core curriculum, yet many have formed a strong foundation in ASL, under the guidance of their instructor KarenWalkney-Mrdjenovich,and are thirsting for more knowledge.
Ms. Walkney-Mrdjenovich passed away in December, and the students are taking this Deaf culture and ASL immersion experience in her memory.
ASL is a key component to Deaf culture and to fully learn any language one must also learn the culture. The majority of the students enrolling in SIGN 202 have only had Deaf interaction and experienced Deaf culture through Ms. Walkney-Mrdjenovich. This program will be used to expose students to Deaf culture and ASL through observation and interaction.