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ASL DIVE 2025

ASL DIVE offers a unique opportunity for students to enhance their ASL skills through full-day immersive experiences each summer. Students take ASL courses together at various locations, engaging in a wide range of activities designed to promote language learning through active use. The program includes a supportive environment with Deaf instructors and Deaf teaching assistants (TAs), ensuring authentic communication throughout. 

We offer from ASL 1 through 6, utilizing the True Way ASL curriculum, known for its focus on real-world signing and interaction. Beyond the classroom, students participate in events, games, and activities to reinforce their learning with the goal of achieving deeper fluency through immersion. The program is designed to provide an ASL experience, helping students build confidence and proficiency. Below is a list of the Professional Studies & Training courses we offer:

  • ASL 1 (3 credits)*
  • ASL 2 (3 credits)*
  • ASL 3 (3 credits)*
  • ASL 4 (3 credits)*
  • ASL 5 (3 credits)*
  • ASL 6 (3 credits)*
  • Beginning Fingerspelling (1 credit)*
  • Intermediate Fingerspelling (1 credit)*
  • Classifiers 1 (1 credit)*
  • Classifiers 2 (1 credit)*

Please note ‘*’ means equivalent to 1 or 3 credits. To avoid any future surprises, it is best to confirm this with the credit transfer specialist at the student’s host institution. This action will ensure that the course credits are transferable and prevent any inconvenience in the future.

Students must be 18 or older by the start of the first day of class.

Rationale:

 ASL DIVE is designed to provide students with an intensive and transformative learning experience that goes beyond traditional classroom instruction. The immersive approach accelerates language acquisition through continuous exposure to ASL and engagement with the language and Deaf Culture. By integrating Deaf instructors and teaching assistants, the program ensures that they interact in a fully ASL environment, making communication natural and effective. Through this innovative program, students will leave not only with ASL skills but also with a stronger connection to the deaf community and a broader network of peers. 

History:

We are excited to explore new horizons and challenge the tradition of the Summer Residency Program (SRP). Instead of hosting SRP solely at Gallaudet, we are considering a bold move taking SRP beyond Gallaudet with Boston and DC as key destinations and the potential for other regional locations in the future. Boston, a city with many colleges and universities, provides a rich academic and cultural landscape for our program to thrive. As part of this evolution, we are rebranding the program as ASL DIVE to reflect its focus on providing a transformative ASL experience.  

Timeline:

ASL DIVE offers an immersive experience for students to learn ASL in two locations, with two-week programs available: the first in Boston, M.A., followed by the second in Washington, D.C.

    • June 2, 2025, to June 13, 2025. 
    • 296 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109.
    • June 16, 2025, to June 27, 2025
    • 800 Florida Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20002.

Lodging, Meals, and Transportation

ASL DIVE offers a unique experience centered around ASL immersion and community engagement. Please note that we do not provide lodging, meals, or transportation. Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodations, food, and travel to and from the event. We encourage you to plan ahead to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Program Costs: 

We offer two immersive package options to suit your ASL learning goals. 

Single Location Package – $1,995

  • This package includes:
    • Admission Fee: Covers the application process and placement screening.
    • Event Fee: Access to immersive cultural events and activities.
    • Material Costs: Includes all necessary digital textbooks and resources.
  • Courses Included:
    • One ASL course tailored to your level. *Professional Studies & Training Credit*
    • A choice of either Fingerspelling or Classifier (CL) courses.

Boston, MA and Washington, DC Package – $3,495

  • This package includes:
    • Admission Fee: Covers the application process and placement screening.
    • Event Fee: Access to immersive cultural events and activities.
    • Material Costs: Includes all necessary digital textbooks and resources.
  • Courses Included:
    • Two ASL courses tailored to your level. *Professional Studies & Training Credit*
    • Two additional courses: Choose from Fingerspelling or Classifier (CL) courses.

REGISTER HERE

FAQs

Common Questions

ASL DIVE is designed for students who are 18 years old or older by the first day of class. We encourage high school students to explore other programs like Gallaudet’s Youth Program: Immerse Into ASL. You can find more information about that program at this link.

ASL DIVE does not provide lodging, meals, or transportation. You will need to arrange your own accommodations, food, and travel.

For lodging, we recommend checking options like Airbnb or nearby hotels. In Boston, MA, you can reserve a room at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf. In Washington, D.C., you can stay at the Kellogg Conference Hotel located on the Gallaudet campus. However, you are free to choose accommodations that best suit your needs.

For transportation, we recommend public transit or rideshare services (like Uber or Lyft).

Financial Questions

The cost varies depending on the package you choose:

 

  • Single Location Package – $1,995

Includes:

✔️ One ASL course tailored to your level

✔️ A choice of Fingerspelling or Classifier courses

✔️ Access to cultural events and activities

✔️ All digital textbooks and resources

 

  • Boston & Washington, D.C. Package – $3,495

Includes:

✔️ Two ASL courses tailored to your level

✔️ Two additional courses (Fingerspelling or Classifier)

✔️ Cultural events and activities in both cities

✔️ All digital textbooks and resources

 

While the cost may seem higher, the immersive experience and social engagement opportunities provided by ASL DIVE are unique and designed to help you gain real-world fluency in ASL.

Academia Questions

ASL DIVE courses offer Professional Studies and Training (PST) credits, not university credits. This means the credits focus on professional development and skill-building rather than traditional academic credit. Please verify with your university if these credits will be accepted or transferred. ASL DIVE does not offer university credit.

Program Questions

We are excited to bring a new direction to our program! While SRP was valuable, we wanted to offer a more dynamic, immersive experience by expanding beyond Gallaudet University. We’ve chosen to host ASL DIVE in both Boston and Washington, D.C., with plans to add more regional locations in the future. These cities provide a rich academic and cultural environment that enhances the program.

Additionally, we’ve rebranded as ASL DIVE to better reflect the program’s focus on a transformative ASL experience—one that goes beyond the classroom and immerses participants in Deaf culture and language.

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