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ASL Connect
ASL DIVE
College Hall 4th Floor
(202) 964-3154
Email Us
ASL DIVE is an immersive, in-person American Sign Language experience held exclusively in Washington, DC. Designed for learners who want more than a traditional classroom, ASL DIVE places you in an interactive environment where ASL is used throughout the day in authentic, meaningful ways.
This summer, ASL DIVE offers flexible session options so you can choose the level of immersion that fits your goals, schedule, and learning pace. Whether you are looking for a focused introduction or a deeper, extended experience, each option emphasizes communication, cultural engagement, and hands-on practice.
Please note that ASL DIVE requires full upfront payment at the time of registration.
May 31 – June 5
One week
June 7 – June 12
May 31 – June 12
Two Weeks | Total Exposure | No Shortcuts
What You’ll Experience
A guided visit to the National Deaf Life Museum, exploring Deaf history and identity
A coffee outing at a Signing Starbucks, where ASL is part of everyday life
Interactive games and cultural activities that make learning natural and social
Real-world practice using ASL in everyday settings, with support every step of the way
Museum tours across Washington, DC, using ASL to explore ideas, history, and culture
Interactive games and structured communication exercises designed to push real signing
Increased real-world ASL practice in social and cultural settings
Every experience is designed to move you from thinking about ASL to using it naturally.
All Discover and Engage experiences combined
Nearly two full weeks of continuous ASL use across cultural, social, and everyday settings
Daily real-world communication that builds naturally through repetition and consistency
Deep exposure to Deaf culture through lived experience, not observation
There are no “off days.”Language growth compounds because immersion never stops.
Who Week Is For
Students new to ASL
Learners curious about Deaf culture
Anyone who wants exposure without the intensity of full immersion
Students who completed Discover Week
Learners with some ASL exposure
Anyone ready to participate more actively instead of staying on the sidelines
Students fully committed to learning through experience
Learners ready for extended ASL use without relying on English
Those who want meaningful gains in fluency, comfort, and cultural awareness
Why Week Matters
You learn by:
Asking questions
Making mistakes
Staying in the conversation
That’s how real language growth happens.
ASL becomes automatic, not forced
Confidence replaces hesitation
Cultural understanding develops through daily interaction
This is where learners stop translating and start thinking in ASL.
Program Details
Dates: May 31 – June 5, 2026
Length: One week
Cost: $800
Early Bird: $700 (January 15 – February 15, 2026)
Registration Deadline: May 1, 2026
Dates: June 7 – June 12, 2026
Dates: May 31 – June 12, 2026
Length: Two weeks
Cost: $1,200
ASL DIVE: Engage
ASL DIVE: Full Immersion
Learner must be 18 or older by the start of the first day of class.
Whether you choose one week or two, ASL DIVE invites you to move beyond memorization and into lived language.
Immerse yourself. Engage fully. Discover what ASL DIVE can offer you.
After you complete your ASL DIVE registration, our team will contact you with available options for on-campus housing and meal plans.
Participants may request to stay in Gallaudet University residence halls for the duration of their ASL DIVE experience.
Housing accommodations include shared dormitory rooms with roommates and shared, community-style bathrooms. Private rooms or private bathrooms are not available.
A meal plan is included and required with housing. Meal plans are designed to accommodate common dietary needs; however, highly specialized dietary requests may be limited. Additional dietary details will be shared closer to the program start date.
Housing & meal plan pricing:
One-week session: $400
Two-week session: $800
These options include campus housing, a required meal plan, and a one-time linen fee. Space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you have any questions, please contact Click to reveal email.
If you prefer not to stay in campus housing, you are welcome to arrange your own accommodations. The Kellogg Conference Hotel on Gallaudet’s campus is a convenient option, or you may choose another hotel or Airbnb nearby. Reservations for hotels and off-campus lodging must be made directly by the participant.
Transportation is not provided as part of ASL DIVE. All participants are responsible for their own travel to and from campus and for daily transportation during their stay.
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.
On-Campus Housing & Meals (Optional)
These options include campus housing and a meal plan. Space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hotel & Off-Campus Options
Transportation
The ASL DIVE program fee includes a guided, immersive American Sign Language and Deaf culture experience led by Deaf facilitators and designed to support real-world language use—not classroom-only learning.
Depending on the session you choose, your program cost includes:
Structured ASL immersion in supportive, low-pressure environments
Guided cultural experiences, including Deaf history and community spaces
Interactive games and activities that encourage natural communication
Real-world ASL practice with ongoing guidance and support
Placement in a Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced group
Deeper, more active ASL participation in social and cultural settings
Museum visits and community experiences using ASL as the primary language
Structured communication exercises that push real signing
Increased real-world interaction with reduced reliance on English
Nearly two full weeks of continuous ASL use across daily life, culture, and community
Sustained immersion designed to build confidence, fluency, and cultural understanding
Placement in Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced immersion groups for appropriate challenge and support
Housing and meal plans
Transportation to, from, or around campus
Housing and meal plans are optional and charged separately at a flat rate based on your selected session. Check-in is the Sunday before your program begins, and check-out is the Saturday after it ends. Early arrival or early departure does not change the total cost.
Additional housing details and instructions will be shared by the ASL DIVE team after your ASL DIVE deposit is submitted.
No. ASL DIVE does not offer university or academic credit.
ASL DIVE is a non-credit, immersive learning experience focused on real-world American Sign Language use and Deaf cultural engagement. The program is designed to build confidence, comfort, and practical communication skills through lived experience rather than traditional coursework or assessments.
While ASL DIVE does not provide academic credit, many participants find the experience valuable for:
Strengthening ASL skills alongside formal coursework
Preparing for future ASL classes or immersive programs
Building cultural awareness and confidence in Deaf spaces
If you are looking to earn university credit or enroll in credit-bearing ASL courses, we encourage you to explore other academic options offered by ASL Connect at Gallaudet University.
We evolved the Summer Residency Program (SRP) into ASL DIVE to better reflect how people learn ASL best—through experience, interaction, and immersion.
While SRP provided valuable classroom-based learning, ASL DIVE is intentionally designed as a community-centered, experiential program based in Washington, DC at Gallaudet University. The new format emphasizes real-world ASL use, Deaf cultural engagement, and guided experiences that help learners move beyond observation and into active communication.
The name ASL DIVE reflects this shift. Participants don’t just study ASL—they dive into Deaf spaces, culture, and daily language use in a structured, supportive environment.
ASL DIVE is offered exclusively in Washington, DC and builds on Gallaudet University’s unique role at the heart of the Deaf community.
Gallaudet Opportunities for Advancement and Learning (GOAL) Director