- Joined
- Feb 27, 2003
- Messages
- 4,225
- Reaction score
- 143
Missouri students could receive foreign language credit for taking American Sign Language courses, if Gov. Matt Blunt signs legislation allowing it.
Senators gave final approval late Wednesday night to the bill putting American Sign Language in the same academic category as Spanish, French, German or any other spoken language besides English.
The bill requires that foreign language academic credit be granted in any public school or higher education institution that offers American Sign Language.
Sen. John Loudon, who handled the bill, said it's intended to encourage the greater use of sign language among the general public.
"Even though the language is generally considered the same (as spoken English), the mode is truly foreign," said Loudon, R-Ballwin. "I have as much trouble communicating with a deaf person as I do a person from a foreign country."
The Senate passed the bill 32-0. It passed the House 151-2 last month.
Followup: http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2005/04/foreign_languag.html
Senators gave final approval late Wednesday night to the bill putting American Sign Language in the same academic category as Spanish, French, German or any other spoken language besides English.
The bill requires that foreign language academic credit be granted in any public school or higher education institution that offers American Sign Language.
Sen. John Loudon, who handled the bill, said it's intended to encourage the greater use of sign language among the general public.
"Even though the language is generally considered the same (as spoken English), the mode is truly foreign," said Loudon, R-Ballwin. "I have as much trouble communicating with a deaf person as I do a person from a foreign country."
The Senate passed the bill 32-0. It passed the House 151-2 last month.
Followup: http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2005/04/foreign_languag.html