A

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