User login
Navigation
Recent Posts
- Obama Acceptance speech (captioned)
- 'You Decide' voter information video
- MN S.O.S. Mark Ritchie's statement to MN Deaf Community
- Reaction to Minnesota Senate Debate
- Dean Barkley's Statement for the Deaf Community
- Al Franken's Statement for the Deaf Community
- Deaf volunteer for Ellison
- Deaf Debate CounterPoints on Employment and Accessibility
- Deaf Debate Question on Employment and Accessibility
- Keith Ellison Disablity Platform
Recent comments
- Deafs have as much right as
2 days 21 hours ago - Interpreter
1 week 2 days ago - thanks!
2 weeks 3 days ago - Its about community organizing
2 weeks 4 days ago - We have to remmy that this Obama campaign volunteer do not
2 weeks 5 days ago - Seems to me that maybe he
2 weeks 5 days ago - I was the interpreter. A
2 weeks 5 days ago - interpreter
2 weeks 5 days ago - Same old.
2 weeks 5 days ago - Obama Support for Deaf, Part 2
2 weeks 5 days ago
Comments
Bilingual Education at College Level?
It makes me wonder why we need to have bilingual college education....
I do believe bilingual ASL/English education is an excellent and the best method to teach pre-lingual deaf children because vast majority of pre-lingual deaf children didn’t inquire the basic expressive and receptive language skill before they enter elementary school or/and kindergarten school. It is a common knowledge many deaf children from hearing family simply lack language exposure from infancy stage to age 6 so it is like a brand new world to those unfortunate kids to begin struggling with English comprehension, composition and writing tasks. Regardless, bilingual education in ASL/English is the best method to teach all identified deaf and HOH children since it will stimulating their language part of the brain to think critically and to comprehend any abstract written statement or closed caption words.
In my humble opinion, bilingual education should start from the bottom (elementary schools) not from the top (Gallaudet) because you need to establish uniform standardize ASL structure and rules and have it promulgate to the higher level before it can be acceptable at the college level.
Furthermore, you need to consider cultural differentiation in sign language usages, since not all part of USA and the world are using exact same ASL schema, styles and movements. Signing styles and its schema vary from one area to another are very similar to spoken English -- Southern folks speak differently then the Northern folks; Black folks speak slight different then White folks, etc; unlike written English, they are generally the same in all part of USA as there are grammar and structure rules dealing with writing English. Speaking English or using Sign Language (ASL) has no rule and largely basing on local regional variety of dialects, with differences in expressive vocabulary, grammar, intonation, facial expressive, signing movement and pronunciation schemas.
You know, once those deaf and HOH children enrolled in bilingual ASL/English education from elementary thru high school, only those students who acquired the intellectual capacity and knowledge/understanding of the language, science, history, math, et al, should enter college to expand their knowledge and understanding before they graduate college follow by enter the real working world. What are the benefits to incorporate and expand bilingual ASL/English at college level when enrolled students should have the prerequisite language skill to be able to read and understand any college level text books? Bilingual ASL/English requirement at college level just does not make sense since it is not portable and transferable to real working world.
But bilingual ASL/English education has to start somewhere, I strongly encourage Gallaudet to take the lead role to persuade, give lectures and provide implementation guideline on how to setup bilingual education (ASL/English) at pre-college levels from kindergarten school to high school levels to all board of education’s and PTA’s through out this country where there is an identified deaf or hoh kids enrolled in their school.
To start somewhere
First of all, I would like to say that I respect your opinion. You are right that it is significant to have bilingual program established at the bottom. You're right about how important it is because the young children comes in with no language and need foundation to develop their language abilities. The bilingual approach does wonders for young students and their language development.
However, when I was reading this comment, I found myself feeling somewhat appalled that one can think that it may be uneccessary to form a bilingual program at Gallaudet.
Before I go on, it is clear that you are misinformed of bilingual's defintion and its purpose in the community. I would recommend that you read:
Baker, C. (2001). Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism. Clevedon, England: Multilingual Matters.
Enns, C.J. (2006). A language and literacy framework for bilingual deaf education. Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA: University of Manitoba.
Livingston, S. (1997). Rethinking the education of deaf students: Theory and practice from a teacher’s perspective. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
The readings may give you a better understanding of its purpose in Gallaudet's curriculum.
Also, I have a question, how do you start at the bottom if the people at the top do not have the knowledge of bilingualism to be able to form bilingualism at the bottom?
And, bilingualism has not started at the bottom for our era that is in college level now. Therefore, many come to Gallaudet with limited access to both language. Gallaudet is forming such program to allow the students have the maximum experience with both languages, something that we never had the opportunity to do so. There has been a huge gap between the deaf students' ability and potential for many years. And, this is a chance to connect the gap and allow the students have access to knowledge.
You asked what are the benefits for those who already have the prerequisite language skills to enroll in a place that uses bilingual approach, as well as how is it appicable to the real world. It is applicable to every deaf person's everyday life. We use ASL to communicate, and we use English to read and write. This program is allowing the students to become proficient in both languages to be able to function in the real working world as an intelligent deaf person. This is a chance to keep the two worlds, hearing and deaf; to tie together, work together, understand each other, and most importantly, to respect one another.
In some sense, in this comment, it still appears that English is above ASL, and that ASL is not a language because "unlike written English, they are generally the same in all part of USA as there are grammar and structure rules dealing with writing English." ASL has all the distintive features that meets the requirements to be considered a languge. It should receive equal respect as English. Just because ASL is not in a written form, it does not make it any less of a language than English. ASL supports the learning of English language, and vice versa. Therefore, it is beneficial.
In my opinion, I think it's a great start to form bilingual approach at Gallaudet. I formed this opinion because I am in a program that allows me to study about bilingualism and its purpose in education. I have been studying this method and have knowledge about bilingualism. Before one forms an opinion, it is cruical that they are well informed of the topic.
Like Ryan said, I applaud the changes that Gallaudet has made, although it is not at its top shape, but it will be for my children.
You are right it has to start somewhere...
Thank you to your reply.
I may be ignorant or deeply informed of bilingual's definition and its purpose in the community. Having said this, nowhere did I say it is not necessary to have a bilingual program at Gallaudet as I am basically emphasizing that bilingual educational setting at college level in which, for example a math majored student have to go thru go through ASL appraisal and need to pass the ASL examination in order to obtain their math degree. Math degree has nothing to do with ASL and vice-versa. ASL examination is good for those who study or major in ASL Study or alike. That is what I am talking about.
You asked “I guess that answer your question on how do you start at the bottom if the people at the top do not have the knowledge of bilingualism to be able to form bilingualism at the bottom?”
Bilingual program or study by itself is fine and that could be multi-purposes functions in which Gallaudet can provide funds and supports for central location where:
1. ASL scholars and language experts can gather together to formulate some kind of step-by-step guidelines, criteria, standards and materials that can be utilized at pre-college educational levels.
2. PR experts and lobbyists go out to persuade, give lectures and et al to any State and County’s Board of Education where there is an identified deaf or hoh kid enrolled or living in their area. They should also try to reach out any State and local legislators persuade them to append or change their educational laws requiring all pre-lingual deaf children tot go to an ASL/English bilingual educational school.
3. Setup an ASL/English Bilingual major degree (combination of general Education, English and ASL) where students can get education major in field of ASL/English language and hopefully those who graduated with this degree will go to teach Bi-Bi education at any elementary school level where there is an identified deaf or hoh kids enrolled in their school.
It cannot be done overnight or in a few years as it will take time to revolutionize the entire educational ways of thinking and ways of teaching pre-lingual deaf children. Let me digress, we should thank to Deaf Bilingual Coalition (DBC) groups to starting to spread awareness, understanding and common sense solution to many AGB folks, mass media and others concerning ASL/English Bilingual education. I think Gallaudet should go ahead provide financial support toward those DBC groups and start forming new DBC groups at any school where is identified deaf or hoh kid enrolled or live in their school area and start proactive movement from there.
The gap between the deaf students' ability to read, write and understand English will be smaller and smaller each year only if we start spreading ASL/English Bilingual education at the elementary school levels. By the time the gap is closed, many pre-lingual deaf would have acquired the basic intellectual capacity and understanding of the English language, science, history, math, et al, should have no problem entering any college, as well as Gallaudet before they move on to the real working world.
You are right it has to start somewhere and I think it should start from the bottom.
ASL classes/Open forum by provost/media
Thanks for sharing the updates at Gallaudet. It looks like that the last year protest had led to the formation of required ASL classes. I would like to have more information on how it works. Do all students go through ASL assessment or like a ASLPI in order to determine the course requirements in ASL for them to take or it is required for them to take Structure of ASL period? Standarized ASL Assessment is the goal and for Gallaudet to make it standarized for Deaf Educational programs to follow makes sense. Now with the CAEBER program up and running on campus where experts and resources are available, it is justified for Gallaudet to take the role to initiate the standarized assessment along with the input from schools for the Deaf.
I find it interesting that it has been the first time in history for a provost to discuss a topic in Gallaudet that is considered "hot" out in the open. That's the way it is supposed to be since I have witnessed that in hearing universities. Hats off to Steven Weiner for being open with students to engage in a sensitive topic where better understanding will take place in order to improve the quality of bilingual practice at Gallaudet University.
As for the media, especially outside Gallaudet, I agree that it is a powerful vehicle to get the vital message across the nation and even the world. Unfortunately, media thrives on negativitiy as it has a reputation of stirring up the pot where controversies are presented for their own motivation to make their ratings boost in the air as much as possible. I just wonder if the media will be a menace to raise the issue of bilingualism vs. oralism to make it more controversial and attractive to the readers instead of justifying the benefits of bilingualism? There will always be people who disagree on an ideology whatever that is and they will be included in the media as well. I am just anticipating for raising awareness of how bilingualism is the most adopted ideology for most Deaf students but I am also being cautious of those (not necessarily from Gallaudet only) who try to detoriate the concept of bilingualism.
ASL AND ENGLISH
I AGREE WHAT YOU SAID BEING CHANGE LOTS OF COME IN TOGETHER ASL AND ENGLISH IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR GRAMMER I ASK YOU IF YOU CAN MAKE ONE FOR EVERYONE FOR ENGLISH AND ASL HOMEWORK SO WE CAN STUDY THRU EMAIL COMPUTER REASON I HAD STOKE AND I COULDNT REMEMBER HOW IT WORK SO I AM STILL WORK HARD STUDY AND READ AND PICK UP MORE THRU READING IN NEWS AND I WOULD LIKE FIND A TEACHER LIKE YOU BEING KNOWLEDGE ENGLISH AND ASL . SO I CAN DO HOME AND STUDY ABOUT IT REALLY I FORGOT AND I NOTICE I AM PERFECT STORY ASL AND SOME OF PEOPLE SAID ENGLISH SO WHAT IS BEST COME TOGETHER MAKE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND ASL AND ENGLISH WILL WORK WITH US. I SEE 2 DIFFERENT BETWEEN "ENGLISH WAR ASL "TELL ME WHAT RIGHT OR WRONG IN STORY SO I WOULD LIKE HAVE VLOG HOMEWORK ?? IT WILL HELP EVERYONE WILL UNDERSTAND . AND GALLUDET U WILL GET INPROVEMENT BETTER ASL WORK ENGLISH WILL BE RESOVLE TO REST OF WAR BECAME PEACE FLOW BETTER . I AM BEEN FIGHT FOR EDUCATION BACK ON DUE STOKE AND CYST IS HARDEST TO GET REMEMBER BUT I AM NOT GIVE UP AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR ONE YRS HERE IS BLOW CANDLE i <---- HAPPY ANNIVERSARY EVERYONE IN GALLUDET U AND STAY BE STRONGEST BETTER EDUCATION AND PROUD OF DR DAVILLA IS DOING GREATEST JOB VEIDO THAT WE LEARN FROM YOU AND GALLUADET U AND ONE THING CAN YOU SEND ME MSSD ALL SPORTS HISTORY FOR WIN AND LOST I SEND OUT AND I BEEN WAIT AND WAIT FOR MSSD RESPOND AND SEND TO ME DEAF TIMES AND DEAFREAD I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MSSD AND GALLAUDET KEEP RUNNING AS CHAMPIONS HISTORY FROM MSSD CLASS OF 85
You you should protest
You you should protest against AGB.
excellent entry!
You made me think of something. If Gallaudet require the incoming students to take remedial English courses before taking regular English classes, Gallaudet should require new incoming students who need remedial ASL courses to improve their ASL skills as well. It still sounds unfair if they put more emphasis on English than ASL
Congratulations to ALL who participated in the protest and make Gallaudet better place!
Responding to Joey Baer
Hi Joey,
They do place students in remedial ASL classes if they need it... the new curriculum demands it. ASL and English are given an equal treatment (this is debatable, of course, seeing that there isn't a clear standardized rubric in place for ASL ...*coming soon*).
It'd be curious to see how standardized assessment system for ASL (or any other sign languages of their respective country) will have an impact on the overall Deaf education.
:)
RC