Teaching via sign language makes a huge difference in deaf education in comparison to teaching via interpreters, at least from my personal experience. However, I am thankful for ASL interpreters for numerous reasons. Interpreting into ASL while matching the timing of teachers’ speaking often leaves interpreted messages with less use of 3D space and 3D handshape representations (classifiers), which often makes things less comprehensible. Offering online course materials via sign language would be a good step forward for deaf education nationwide.
Video ID: In a classroom with text appears: “Teaching via Interpreter”. The teacher speaks by voice. Interpreter: When two hydrogen and one oxygen bond, they turn into water. The student appears sleepy. Text appears: “Teaching via Sign Language”. Teacher: When two hydrogen and one oxygen bond, they turn into water. Student: Really? Oh, I get it. In a living room in Wyoming: Parent: Son, here in Wyoming, there are no deaf schools. I am sorry. So you will go to the immersion mainstream school with interpreters. (Smiles) The son nods and tries to be optimistic. In a living room in Texas: Parent: Son, here in rural Texas, there are no deaf schools close by. The closest is too far. So you will go to the mainstream school close by with interpreters. (Smiles) The son nods and tries to be optimistic. In a living room in New York City: Parent: Son, here in New York City, there is an oral school, which focuses on speech. However, sign language isn’t allowed. You will be fine. (Smiles) The son nods and tries to be optimistic. On the black screen, text appears, “Then somehow actions for deaf education took a leap forward.” On the news with the text “Crystal Clear News” and “Deaf Education Funding” with an image of a giving book between two hands in the upper corner of the screen. News reporter: States, such as Wyoming that don’t have deaf schools, have declared that they will provide funding to have deaf students go to other states that already have deaf schools to support them. Aww! In a counselor’s room: From what I see as a family counselor, I am happy that you as a parent recognize and accommodate what your child wants, whether it is far or close, not just solely based on what you as a parent want. You have broaden your scope. Aww! In the Oval Office Government Official: I just signed a federal bill to fund online courses specifically for teaching through sign language for all deaf and hard of hearing students nationwide including mainstream and immersion schools, oral schools, deaf schools, and any other type. The goal is to increase education quality. Take a look at the online courses. On the computer screen, text appears “online courses in ASL”. Text appears: “Grade: K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12”. The number “9” is chosen. Text appears: “Science, Math, Language, History, More”. The text “Science” is chosen. A presenter appears with the image showing a caterpillar coming out of a cocoon. Presenter: A caterpillar wraps itself into a cocoon. That transformation steps will be elaborated on. In the Oval Office: Government: See this? Aww! In the classroom: Student: Oh, that means that learning doesn’t have to be hard?! Oh!