ASL as base language

• logical first language for Deaf children 
  • should be learned in the first few years of life during the critical learning period
• English shouldn’t be the first language for Deaf children
  • need a foundation in a natural language before attempting to learn a second language
  • cannot learn English without ASL as a base language
  • classrooms with focus on English decrease linguistic skills which leads to language deprivation
• ASL as first language facilitates development of English as the second
• Bilingual Classrooms
  • designed to promote bilingual competence
  • allows Deaf students to succeed while still learning English (parents, legislators)
  • needs bilingual allocution (conscious selection and strategic use of each language)
• Deaf Educators
  • Lack of Deaf Educators: socioeconomic disparities, substandard educational opportunities ➝ systematic oppression
  • Deaf teachers ➝ more beneficial
  • fluid communication
  • direct education (indirect: interpreters, technologies)
  • need diverse educators ➝ have diverse students

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