American Sign Language as a Foreign Language

Schools are finally accepting American Sign Language (ASL) as a foreign language.  Offering ASL is one of the best things schools can do for kids with learning differences.  A learning difference or disability is characterized by difficulty with spoken, written, or understanding language.  Many kids who have a learning disability tend to fail when they take foreign languages such as French or Spanish (and ones with a different alphabet like Hebrew or Chinese are even more difficult!). One of the reasons these students fail is that understanding their primary language takes up so much processing time.  ASL is a visual language communicated through hand and facial gestures so it is processed differently. I have seen with my own eyes students who were exempted from taking a foreign language succeed in ASL. 

            Most schools now accept ASL as a foreign language.  But only a small number of high schools and colleges presently offer it.  Those of us who advocate for students with disabilities need to urge schools to offer ASL.  For more information about ASL go to aslpro.com or PBS "Sound and Fury".