Greetings WOL Friends!
We have had the opportunity to talk with many of you recently as we are working to prepare for the 2023 - 24 school year. It is so much fun to hear about all the great things happening in your schools.
Our guest on this podcast is Aliza- a 6th grader at Bedford Elementary School. She joined us with her parent to talk about her experience taking ASL in the virtual environment.
American Sign Language (ASL) was our initial foray into the idea of our courses being a story - where students can see themselves as participants and creators. Our catalog highlights some of the courses that have already made it into this format.
It was truly our pleasure, and an honor to hear from Aliza. Listen in to hear this amazing young person tell us how she ‘Loves to try new things’. I look forward to watching this creative, hardworking learner as she makes her way on her education journey. I hope she will stay in touch at various parts of her career.
Our conversation with Aliza highlighted many of the benefits of a school using the World of Learning Institute to expand offerings.
Here are some highlights:
Students have a lot to say about their learning. Listening to students, even young students, can be so instructive for us as adults in shaping the opportunities and challenges that will provide skills to succeed in a world that requires collaboration, creativity, and persistence.
Aliza finds one of the key benefits of learning virtually is her ability to connect and learn with students from other districts. She and the students she has met come from a variety of districts and have a shared passion for learning ASL.
Aliza also enjoys connecting with classmates through sign language in her live sessions. Sarah, Aliza’s mom was amazed when she observed a lesson in which the students communicate with the teacher 100% in ASL and using text chat.
The discussion boards are lively spaces in our ASL courses with students working together to decode conversations using their new learning.
Aliza and Sarah both highlight that taking this course this early in her school career gives her the opportunity to be fluent much earlier and also to be ready to reach her goal of becoming an ASL interpreter with greater fluency.
A final benefit is that Aliza was able to meet with her class and participate in her LIVE session even when her family was on vacation!
In the video below Aliza is well on her way to sharing her dream and passion of supporting the Deaf Community. Her poise and passion for learning ASL are evident as she and her grandmother signed the song “You Say” at church on Easter.
This is just one example of how the WOL Institute is able to expand what schools are able to offer. We will also have opportunities in the coming year to provide courses that are NOT world languages. (This year we have offered Calculus and Chemistry).
Ask us about what might be available if you can’t find a teacher or would like to expand your offerings.
Have a great week,
Pat
"I Love to Try New Things" #40