The Effects of American Sign Language on English Reading Proficiency

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Education
• Deaf Studies

Background:

• The relationship between American Sign Language (ASL) and English literacy development in d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals is complex.
• Understanding this relationship is crucial for effective educational strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review research on the effects of ASL on English reading achievement and comprehension.
• To identify instructional implications and potential confounding factors in existing research.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of primary research and research-integrated journal articles was performed.
• Interpretations were based on salient articles and professional review of selected sources.

Main Results:

• The review explored patterns and instructional implications of ASL use on English reading.
• Potential confounding factors such as sample characteristics and school environment were discussed.

Conclusions:

• Further research is recommended to investigate ASL-English approaches and bilingual programs for improving English reading skills in d/Deaf and hard of hearing children and adolescents.
• The study highlights the need for rigorous research designs to clarify the benefits of bilingual ASL-English education.