Free Translation: Teacher Checklist

Free translation is a bilingual strategy where students carry meaning across ASL and English by keeping the intent and clarity intact rather than matching words. Use this checklist to plan and reflect on teaching it. It covers finding good opportunities to translate for meaning, making sure students understand a concept before translating, modeling meaning over word-for-word, and highlighting how ASL and English express ideas differently. It also prompts you to release responsibility as students grow more independent and accurate. Use it to keep your bilingual instruction focused on clarity, intent, and audience.