The lunch rush at Bingham High looked familiar at first glance — students moving between tables while others ate pizza. But one major difference was it was quiet. Instead of talking with their voices, hands moved quickly, faces were expressive and eye contact was constant as American Sign Language filled the room, creating a fully immersive ASL restaurant experience created by Bingham High’s ASL program.

The event was designed by Tiff Dodge to give students a real-world experience to use the language they’re learning.

“I believe language is learned authentically,” she said. “So, to use a language, you need to have a purpose for it. I try to make all my activities authentic and lifelike.”

With the support of then retiring principal Rodney Shaw, Dodge transformed the space into a functioning restaurant. About 130 students participated with roles assigned by skills level. ASL 3 students were servers while ASL 1 and 2 students were customers. 

While ASL 1 and 2 students practiced greetings, ordering the food, asking questions and learning how to pay, ASL 3 students had to be ready to provide any information asked without advanced knowledge, Dodge said.

“ASL 3 students had to be able to say, ‘what would you like? Do you want rolls? What side would you like?’ and answer questions from the guests,” she said.

At the tables were not only ASL students, school and district administrators, but several deaf community members from across the Salt Lake Valley, whose involvement Dodge said was essential.

“I can’t do anything without the support of the deaf community; they’re key role players,” she said.

For deaf attendees, the experience was meaningful in ways hearing participants may not have immediately recognized.

Laurie Moyers, a Holladay ASL resident, shared through Dodge: “For me, it was fun because I don’t have this experience in everyday life. I go to a restaurant, and I typically have to awkwardly interact or write or gesture, but here I could sign in my native language.”

Dean Christensen, a Midvale resident who signed to Dodge, said natural communication changes everything.

“We don’t expect perfect communication as deaf individuals, but this was nice compared to getting out the phone and typing an order or writing it on paper,” he said. “Human exchange is better than technology.”

Dodge also translated for Cherie Hodson, a Riverton ASL resident, who said this opportunity allowed students to have interaction.

“It's a great experience for them because it exposes them to how strong this community is,” she said. “If we weren't here, maybe they may never interact with a deaf person.”

Dodge translated for Midvale ASL resident Rachel Enggas.

“There's a lot of different activities going on within the deaf community, and the students can be involved,” he said. “There's a lot of history they can learn about.”

Students also felt the impact. ASL 3 senior Vienna Copier was a server.

“I had fun doing it and it was nice to converse with deaf people,” she said. “And I got to teach other students some signs they didn’t know.”

Community members added they intentionally challenged students with unexpected questions to push the use of authentic language.

Derrick Lopez, a Taylorsville ASL resident, who spoke through Dodge, said he asked students questions: “What are you here for? Are you on a date? What are we celebrating tonight? It caught him off guard and for a moment, he was frozen because it wasn’t expected.”

Christensen added: “I like to throw curve balls at students because they haven’t rehearsed for those. It’s real live authentic use of the language.”

Dodge hopes the experience leaves a lasting impression.

“Learning language in general is important and using it, you learn more about the people and cultures,” she said. “By training your brain in more than one language, you perceive the world in a broader sense.”