Free translation is a bilingual strategy where students carry a message across ASL and English by keeping the intent, concept, and clarity intact rather than matching words or structure. This walkthrough tool helps administrators observe and give feedback on how instruction builds that skill. It looks at whether teachers plan real chances to translate for meaning, whether they establish understanding before translating and model meaning over word-for-word, and whether students convey ideas accurately and adapt to audience and purpose with growing independence. Coaching prompts help you follow up. Use it to strengthen students' flexibility and accuracy across both languages.
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A walkthrough tool administrators use to observe literal translation, where students compare ASL and English directly to see how each language builds meaning through structure.
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A one-page chart staff use to tell languages apart from the teaching approaches built around them, so ASL, English, and instructional methods are not confused with one another.