American Sign Language and Literacy: Exploring New Relationships.
Recent literature is suggesting that having a strong foundation in sign language will help in the development of English literacy skills.
What was this study about?
This study examined the relationship between American Sign Language (ASL) phonological awareness skills and English skills in two groups of school-age deaf children: deaf children of deaf parents (ASL early learners) and deaf children with hearing parents (ASL later learners).
Phonological awareness is knowledge of the structures within words or signs used in language. ASL phonological awareness skills consist of hand shape, hand movement and hand location, the fundamental features that make up a sign. For spoken English, phonological awareness relates to the sounds in words and syllables, and is considered critical to early literacy skills.
What were the key findings?
- Deaf Children who learned sign language early developed stronger English literacy skills than those who learned sign language later.
- The deaf children of deaf parents (ASL early learners) had stronger English reading comprehension skills than the deaf children with hearing parents (ASL later learners).
Where can i read more about this paper?
American Sign Language Phonological Awareness and English Reading Abilities: Continuing to Explore New Relationships.
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