WAKE COUNTY, N.C. -- Middle and high school students are spending part of their summer break in the classroom as they master a second language. 

• Beginner courses in sign language offered.
• It's part of the college's summer camp series.
• The series is aimed at middle and high school students.

It's part of the Wake Tech Community College summer camp series.

This week, the school is offering a beginner level course in American Sign Language.

Professors said knowing a second language can be a big part of a student’s overall success because it gives them a more diverse perspective of the world around them.

"Teenagers want to learn ASL because they're seeing more and more deaf people in their lives and in their schools. They are seeing more deaf kids in their classroom and they want to be involved," said Bola Desalu, an American Sign Language instructor.

Wake Tech offers American Sign Language courses throughout the year.