In a strong ASL/English bilingual program, language use is planned, not left to chance. Use this tip sheet as a quick reference for what that looks like across the school. It describes six markers of strong practice: a data-informed language plan that guides decisions, balanced use of ASL and English in every setting, staff who serve as fluent language models, embedded visual and language supports, ongoing monitoring of language growth, and bilingual teaching strategies that use one language to strengthen the other. Use it to build shared understanding of what intentional language use looks like program-wide.
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A checklist administrators use to monitor whether ASL and English are used intentionally and consistently across classrooms, dorms, and shared spaces schoolwide.
A checklist teachers use while planning and reflecting to make sure ASL and English are used deliberately, accessibly, and in response to every student's needs.
A reading list educators can use to ground language-use planning in evidence on ASL/English Bilingualism, the critical period for language, and how deaf and hard of hearing students learn.