We present a study in which multimedia alphabet books were constructed for ten languages using the Learning And Reading Assistant (LARA) platform. We describe the alphabet books we built, the different design features they instantiate, and an initial evaluation using an anonymous online questionnaire. Links are provided to the books themselves,…

Explores the use of American Sign Language (ASL) in the bilingual instruction of English as a Second Language for deaf students. Issues addressed include dominant languages, language minorities, legislative and cultural recognition of ASL as an official language, and limited English proficiency. (CB) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy…

Suggests that certain teaching methods are successful in teaching both English to the deaf and English as a second language (ESL) to remote-language-base students. Presents characteristics of American Sign Language and guidelines for managing deaf students in an ESL classroom. (SED)

Despite the fact that American Sign Language (ASL) has no written component, it still may be possible for deaf students to develop English literacy skills. To assess the effects of ASL on the development of English, it is proposed that native, and possibly non-native, signers be educated in a bilingual minority-language immersion program which…

This paper discusses the use of American Sign Language (ASL) in an English-as-a-Second-Language approach to teaching reading and writing skills to deaf students. The paper poses and answers the following theoretical and practical questions: (1) What is the nature of first language reading? (2) What is the nature of second language reading? (3)…

When evaluating the work of congenitally deaf students whose native language is spatial and semiotic, composition teachers must avoid being what Marjorie Siegel calls "verbocentric," since congenitally deaf students are, in effect, learning to write in a language completely foreign to them in structure, syntax, and grammar. The…

These six conference papers from the Biennial Conference on Postsecondary Education for Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing focus on academic issues relating to individuals with deafness or hard of hearing. The first paper, "Exploring Assessment Alternatives for Deaf Students" (Karen Clack), discusses different methods of evaluating students…

This paper looks at computer technology's current and potential role in developing literacy in hearing impaired (HI) adults. First, the paper considers findings of adult literacy research including the national impact of illiteracy, functional literacy, communication and thinking skills, the whole language approach, the process approach to…