The Effects of American Sign Language on English Reading Proficiency

Am Ann Deaf. 2023;167(5):745-760. doi: 10.1353/aad.2023.0010.

Abstract

The authors examine the effects of American Sign Language (ASL) on English reading achievement and English reading comprehension. A systematic review of relevant primary research and research-integrated journal articles was conducted. Based on interpretations of a few salient articles and other sources (e.g., books) selected in a professional review, background on the ASL-English situation is provided. The authors discuss whether the findings reflect a pattern or suggest instructional implications for improving English reading comprehension. Also discussed is whether the findings are confounded by a lack of desirable research characteristics associated with sample sociodemography, teacher-student interactions, or school environment. The article concludes with recommendations for further research to examine the merits of ASL-English approaches or bilingual programs, focusing on improvement of the English reading skills of d/Deaf and hard of hearing children and adolescents.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Comprehension*
  • Deafness / psychology
  • Deafness / rehabilitation
  • Education of Hearing Disabled* / methods
  • Humans
  • Multilingualism
  • Persons With Hearing Impairments / psychology
  • Reading*
  • Sign Language*
  • United States