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Charles J. Rock
Professor Carlson
TASL 501
11 October 2015
Survey
This survey was conducted on Thursday, October 8th at California Baptist University in
Riverside, California. I gave survey forms to my eighteen ASL Level 1 students. Five were
absent on that day. I designed the survey instrument in Excel spreadsheet. My goal is to make
the survey form easy-to-read and clear. All of these questions are used to examine students
motivation in my ASL class.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO GRADUATE SCHOOL TEACHING ASL SURVEY
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly
Agree

1. I am taking an ASL course (ASL 1) because it should be easier for

me to learn than another foreign language available in this school.

2. I want to learn ASL because I have a friend or relative who is

deaf and is fluent in ASL.

3. I am taking an ASL course only to satisfy my general education

requirements.

4. I am taking an ASL course because I am planning to go on a

mission to meet Deaf people in a different country.

5. I hope to become near-native ASL speaker at the end of

ASL 2 semester.

6. I am planning to take ASL 3 and 4 in the near future.

7. I want to learn ASL because I will be able to help Deaf

customers/clients at my current or future job site.

8. Outside of class, I practice ASL signs as often as I can.

(be honest, your instructor will not punish you for not practicing)

Please circle the number that corresponds with your level of agreement.

(to be continued)

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9. I want to learn ASL so I can talk with Deaf people at events.

10. I am nervous to have a Deaf instructor in ASL class.

11. ASL is my second language.

12. I learned some ASL before I registered for this class.

I did not include No Opinion or Neutral in my survey instrument because they are null and
yields no information.
The students are approximately 18 to 25 years old of age, and they are in freshman, sophomore,
junior or senior year. California Baptist University is a private university, affiliated by
California Southern Baptist Convention, located in Riverside, California. Approximately 8,500
students are currently attending in Fall 2015. The tuition and fees are $30,400 annually. My
findings and analysis are found right below of each column-style graph.
(please see next page to see survey results)

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Survey Results

1. I am taking an ASL course (ASL 1) because it should be easier for me

to learn than another foreign language available in this school.
Tally
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree

6
6
5

%
33.33%
33.33%
27.78%

Strongly Agree

5.56%
100.00%

Total response

Total
Percentage

18

1. I am taking an ASL course (ASL 1) because it should be

easier for me to learn than another foreign language
available in this school.
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

This is interesting data, the majority of students either disagreed or strongly disagreed that they
took ASL class because it would be easier to learn than other foreign languages. I believe that
many have learned the Spanish language either at home with their family or during their high
school years, they do not want to learn any more Spanish. The city where California Baptist
University is located (Riverside, California) has a huge population of Spanish speakers and
approximately 8 to 10 percent of total population are Deaf residents. The Riverside Unified
School District does not offer ASL courses. That is what I think its the reason why they wanted
to take an ASL course. This data is somewhat related to Question #11 ASL is my second
language, this question also helps me to understand why. See Question #11 survey results.

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2. I want to learn ASL because I have a friend or relative who is deaf and is fluent
in ASL.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree

Tally
5
10
2

%
27.78%
55.56%
11.11%

Strongly Disagree

5.56%
100.00%

Total response

Total
Percentage

18

2. I want to learn ASL because I have a friend or relative

who is deaf and is fluent in ASL.
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%

0.00%
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly
Disagree

Ive always thought my students took an ASL class just because they knew someone who is
Deaf. I guess my assumption was wrong. I recalled that I have met very few ASL students who
told me they have cousin or friend who is Deaf.

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3. I am taking an ASL course only to satisfy my general education requirements.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree

Tally
6
7
5

%
33.33%
38.89%
27.78%

0.00%
100.00%

Total response

Total
Percentage

18

3. I am taking an ASL course only to satisfy my general

education requirements.
40.00%
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

Thirteen students responded to that question disagreed or strongly disagreed (opposed to five
who agreed) that they dont want to take this course just because they need to meet their general
education requirements. That is also surprising to me. This data also shows me that my students
have the motivation to learn ASL. The students at California Baptist University are encouraged
to take a missionary trip operated by International Student Program (ISP), they need to learn a
foreign language before going to a different country. In the past several years, Deaf students
went with a group of hearing students to Asia countries (Thailand, India and Hong Kong) on a
mission to meet some deaf people at schools and churches. Of course, ASL is not an universal
language, but the students were able to communicate with deaf people in different sign
languages, mostly gesture and body language.

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4. I am taking ASL course because I am planning to go on a mission to meet Deaf

people in a different country.
Tally

Strongly Disagree

16.67%

Disagree

27.78%

Agree

44.44%

Strongly Agree

11.11%
100.00%

Total response

Total
Percentage

18

4. I am taking ASL course because I am planning to go on

a mission to meet Deaf people in a different country.
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

Little more than half of my students agreed (and strongly agreed) that its the reason why they
took an ASL course because they are going on their mission to meet Deaf people in a different
country.

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5. I hope to become near-native ASL speaker at the end of ASL 2 semester.

Tally

Strongly Disagree

0.00%

Disagree

5.56%

Agree

50.00%

Strongly Agree

44.44%
100.00%

Total response

Total
Percentage

18

5. I hope to become near-native ASL speaker at the end

of ASL 2 semester.
50.00%
40.00%

30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

According to one of the professors at UNC, it will require approximately seven to ten years
becoming near-native ASL speakers. I was curious to see my students perspective. This data
shows that approximately 94% of my students are hoping to become near-native ASL speakers
by the end of ASL Level 2. That shows they are motivated to learn ASL.

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6. I am planning to take ASL 3 and 4 in the near future.

Tally
1
4
10
3

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree

%
5.56%
22.22%
55.56%
16.67%
100.00%

Total response

Total
Percentage

18

6. I am planning to take ASL 3 and 4 in the near future.

60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

The majority of my students want to take ASL Levels 3 and 4 courses before they will graduate.
ASL 3 and 4 are not a part of the general education requirement. This also shows that they are
motivated to learn more in ASL beyond ASL Level 2.

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7. I want to learn ASL because I will be able to help Deaf customers/clients at my current
or future job site.
Tally
1
1
6
10

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree

%
5.56%
5.56%
33.33%
55.56%
100.00%

Total response

Total
Percentage

18

7. I want to learn ASL because I will be able to help Deaf

customers/clients at my current or future job site.
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

The other day I went to many restaurants in Riverside and met some waiter/waitress that were
happy to serve me and my wife (both of us are deaf) because they have learned ASL from a
community college or CBU. The majority of my students in class agreed that its important for
them to learn ASL because they want to help Deaf people.

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8. Outside of class, I practice ASL signs as often as I can.

Tally
0
3
12
3

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree

%
0.00%
16.67%
66.67%
16.67%
100.00%

Total response

Total
Percentage

18

8. Outside of class, I practice ASL signs as often as I can.

70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

I was curious to see my students motivation in learning/practicing ASL signs outside of my

class. I was surprised to see 66% of my students agreed that they do that. I believe that high
(expensive) tuition is another reason why my students want to succeed in my ASL class.

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9. I want to learn ASL so I can talk with Deaf people at events.

Tally
1
1
10
6

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree

%
5.56%
5.56%
55.56%
33.33%
100.00%

Total response

Total
Percentage

18

9. I want to learn ASL so I can talk with Deaf people at

events.
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

There are many deaf events going on in Riverside such as an ASL club, coffee chat, church
services, and special events, including a State-funded deaf institution. Its interesting to see the
majority of my students want to learn ASL so they can interact with deaf people. That is another
sign of their motivation.

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10. I am nervous to have a Deaf instructor in ASL class.

Tally
4
10
4
0

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree

%
22.22%
55.56%
22.22%
0.00%
100.00%

Total response

Total
Percentage

18

10. I am nervous to have a Deaf instructor in ASL class.

60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

I was also curious to see if they are really nervous of having me, as a deaf instructor, teaching
ASL. Many theorists who studied L1 and L2 acquisition showed that many foreign language
learners are nervous about learning a new language (many of them do not want to make mistakes
as well). It is true that nervous students may affect their learning a second language.
Approximately 77% of my students do not feel that way. Only 22% (approx.) do felt that way.

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11. ASL is my second language.

Tally
6
4
5
3

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree

%
33.33%
22.22%
27.78%
16.67%
100.00%

Total response

Total
Percentage

18

11. ASL is my second language.

35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

This data is somewhat related to Question #1 in my survey instrument. Approximately 55% of

my students disagreed that ASL is their second language; its obvious that they have learned
Spanish as their second language. Approximately 43% of them claimed that ASL is their second
language, probably because they have learned ASL while they were in high school, outside of
Riverside Unified School District. I checked www.collegedata.com website to find out the
ethnicity of students at CBU, 32.9% are Hispanic and 41.5% are White, its possible that these
Hispanic students learned Spanish as their second language (or vice versa with English as a
second language). That is why 55% of my students are learning ASL as their third language. I
would imagine that learning a third language can be somewhat difficult for them to acquire.

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12. I learned some ASL before I registered for this class.

Tally
5
6
6
1

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree

%
27.78%
33.33%
33.33%
5.56%
100.00%

Total response

Total
Percentage

18

12. I learned some ASL before I registered for this class.

35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

I was curious to see if they have learned some ASL before they came to my class. The majority
of my students do not know any ASL signs. This data will help me to adjust my teaching ASL
class.