Visual Language: American Sign Language/English as a Second Language (ASL/ESL) or Bilingual-Bicultural (Bi-Bi)
American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language with its own grammar. ASL is not based on English grammar – it uses space, direction, speed of movement, and facial expression to mark grammar and convey meaning. ASL has no written form and is not used simultaneously with spoken English. Fingerspelling (the use of a manual alphabet to spell words) is actively integrated into ASL for proper names and other terms for which there are no generally accepted signs. American Sign Language and English, (a bilingual approach) supports development of ASL as a child’s first language with development of English as a second language through reading, writing, spoken language and other visual representations of spoken language. Combined with an emphasize on Deaf culture, this approach is known as Bilingual-Bicultural education, or Bi-Bi.Â
Here are some important things to know about the Bi-Bi approach:Â
Exposure to ongoing fluent ASL models (Deaf adults and native ASL users) is considered integral to the success of this approach. Most hearing parents are not immediately fluent in ASL, which is why it is important to seek out fluent ASL users.
Therapists and Deaf Mentors working with families are able to provide additional instruction and support to learn ASL.
Supporters of ASL believe that visual language development is crucial to a deaf child’s language, cognitive, social, and emotional growth. The belief is that a child can most easily learn language visually – through ASL – and then use ASL to learn spoken and written English. This approach is supported by evidence from Deaf culture, which has shown that ASL is a valid and valuable language that has proven successful for developing an avenue for communication, life success, and literacy development for many deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Supporters of a Bi-Bi approach understand that deaf children have a wide variety of potential regarding auditory and speech skill development. They believe that development of auditory and speech skills will hold a different importance for each child and their family.
For more information on ASL, you can visit LAURENT CLERC NATIONAL DEAF EDUCATION CENTERÂ or NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF