Why should I choose to live in a Language Residential Learning Community (RLC)?

Students participating in Language Immersion Communities get to take part in multiple opportunities to learn, live, and grow within a specific language and culture. Within common spaces only the specific language will be used to allow students to fully immerse themselves in the language and culture outside of the classroom.

What is the American Sign Language and Immersion Residential Community?

The Department of Initial Teacher Preparation and Service in collaboration with Housing and Residence Life and the American Sign Language (ASL) club, has shaped an opportunity for students who are deaf, hearing, and hard-of-hearing to live together in a community where they can use and practice American Sign Language in daily living.

Located in Hopper Hall, this community open to all students who have conversational ASL skills demonstrated through native use of the language or prior academic study of ASL in high school or at an institution (at least two semesters). 

Why should I join?

One of the areas that second- language ASL learners are often lacking is frequent, authentic engagement in the language. The ASL RLC will provide various out of class opportunities for students to interact with ASL users, both peer and faculty. Beyond second language ASL learners, native ASL users are able to interact with their language and peers through specific activities, programs, advising, tutoring, and faculty mentorship.

Who is eligible and how do I apply?

All students are eligible to live in this community regardless of class standing. You must be either Deaf/Hard of Hearing users of ASL or hearing students who have taken ASL 1 & 2 (at VSU, in high school, or at another post-secondary institution). Students who are enrolling in ASL 1 & 2 in the summer are encouraged to apply. Your acceptance would be contingent upon successful completion of these courses prior to moving in. 

Apply to live on campus through our housing portal. Your room preferences will be applied if you are not selected to live in this community. The Residential Learning Community's program director will notify you of your admittance into the program, as well as your placement.

For more information, email housing@valdosta.edu or the program coordinator at aslinterpreting@valdosta.edu.