Foreign Language

An explanation for hearing teachers of students who are deaf on why it is important to teach foreign language to them. Some techniques including modifications to traditional teaching methods are also presented on how the teachers at Gallaudet University teach foreign languages. In an effort to assist hearing teachers teach the French and Spanish language to deaf students, they created a series of grammatical lessons in each language but taught in ASL.

Visual grammar videotapes which use ASL to teach or reinforce Spanish language instruction that most hearing students learn in a two-year foreign language program (high school or college level). The vocabulary used in the examples is simple and repetitive. Emphasis is place on comparing English grammar with Spanish grammar. (A companion tape, “Why Bother to Teach Foreign Languages to Deaf Students?” also available.)