Frequently Asked Questions
American Sign Language
Where can I learn American Sign Language?
There are many ASL classes being offered through community colleges and adult education classes. You can also check with the Parks and Recreation Department to see if they offer ASL classes. Some of the churches that provide interpreters for the deaf also offer classes in American Sign Language.
The California School for the Deaf provides ASL classes for parents of deaf children in Northern California every Thursday during the school year. If you are interested, contact Ginny Malzkuhn at gmalzkuhn@csdf-cde.ca.gov
Can my deaf child become equally fluent
in American Sign Language and English?
Yes, your deaf child can become equally fluent in both American Sign Language and English. There are several factors that contribute to language development and fluency. First, it depends on how many opportunities your child has to interact with adults and peers who are fluent in ASL. As for English, it depends on how much quality time your child spends reading and writing.
At the California School for the Deaf, teachers provide quality teaching time in both ASL and English so that your child can become functional in both languages.
How can I expect my deaf child to learn
both American Sign Language and English at home?
We strongly recommend that parents who are learning American Sign Language enroll in ASL classes. ASL classes are offered free to families at the California School for the Deaf in Fremont.
We also recommend that parents frequently watch ASL videotapes of stories with their deaf child. Parents can borrow the videotapes from the public library or purchase them. There are numerous companies that produce ASL stories that parents can use. Families of a student attending the California School for the Deaf have the option of borrowing videotapes, books, and DVD's from the school's Parent Resource Center (located in the school library). Teachers can assist their students in borrowing videotapes from the Parent Resource Center to bring home to the family, or parents may also contact the Parent Resource Center directly in order to borrow resource materials.
For English exposure, parents can turn on the close-captioning while the child is watching TV, encourage the child to use email, to write and send letters, and fill the home with newspapers, magazines, and books of interest to their deaf child.
What is Bilingual Educational Philosophy?
The Bilingual approach to educating Deaf and Hard of Hearing children emphasizes the importance of using both American Sign Language (ASL) and English for language development and academic instruction. Children can and do acquire more than one language during early childhood. The goal is to promote full proficiency in both languages, ASL and English, with ASL being the natural visual language of Deaf people. The ASL provides Deaf and Hard of Hearing children with access to complete information and a strong linguistic foundation from which to learn. As Deaf and Hard of Hearing children become proficient in both languages, they are able to fully participate in both the Deaf and hearing communities.
