WHAT’S A BETTER WAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEAF CULTURE THAN HAVING A HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN LEARNING FILIPINO SIGN LANGUAGE (FSL)? Effective communication is an important skill in our lives; however, while it is notable that the Philippines and other countries strive for inclusion, the hard of hearing community in our country continue to confront impediments. As most projects often include American Sign Language, it is time to highlight our very own Filipino Sign Language (FSL), as both languages differ from each other given the fact that both are culture-bound and structurally distinct.
The College Government of Education (CGE) of the University Student Government (USG), in its attempt to transcend the status quo, aims for an inclusive and progressive society wherein all individuals may be heard and acknowledged. Thus, in partnership with the De La Salle- College of St. Benilde’s (DLS-CSB)’s Filipino Sign Language Program (FSSLP), Kumpas: Filipino Sign Language Certification Program is a certification program that is open to all interested undergraduate students in the university who are eager to learn how to communicate using FSL. With this program, CGE firmly believes that the participation and willingness of interested students will equip them with the necessary skills to grasp and utilize the fundamentals of the said language.
As the initiative primarily aims to hold classes regarding FSL that shall provide willing students with the knowledge, application, and appreciation of fundamental Filipino Sign Language, CGE believes that Kumpas is an initiative that can go beyond awareness to the deaf and hard of hearing community but rather provide students with long-term valuable learnings.
The first batch of Kumpas already started in June 2022 and is still on-going, but learning FSL doesn’t stop there. For the future of the program, the College Government of Education has plans to lobby it in the Legislative Assembly of the USG accordingly to ensure the continuity of the program. The organization also plans to work and continue an open dialogue with the BAGCED College Administration on seeing the possibility of offering a FSL class as a free elective in our university, making it more accessible for students to partake in.
As students in the Brother Andrew Gonzales FSC College of Education and as future educators, CGE believes that participating in a hands-on sign language learning experience is a great opportunity for DLSU students to understand the community. As a result, they are optimistic that Kumpas: Filipino Sign Language Certification Program is a modest step toward inclusion and diversity not only within the university, but particularly, our nation.
One reply on “PRESS RELEASE: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT—THE COLLEGE GOVERNMENT OF EDUCATION OFFERS A FILIPINO SIGN LANGUAGE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR DLSU UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS!”
hi nagaaccept po ba kayo ng di nagaral sa DLSU? I want to learn more of sign language my parents are both deaf and mute. I only know some basic. But I want to learn more so i can communicate well to them. And to teach my children also.