Teaching reading to hearing students, with the supplemental support of American Sign • Language, is a relatively new concept. Many components associated with sign language reinforce basic concepts of English. It teaches individual letter sounds, and names, and many of the signs for words emphasize beginning sounds, as well as meaning. Another important component of sign language is its bodily kinesthetic form of learning. Many students in public schools today are not learning through traditional teaching strategies. Incorporating sign language provides a multi-sensory approach to literal hands-on learning.
The following research outlines the principles behind teaching effectively using sign language to hearing students. It provides anecdotal evidence and physiological backing of its success, and provides actual structure of how to implement it within the classroom. Finally, it provides the benefits and positive outcomes sign language can have on students, parents, and teachers
