What does bilingual-bicultural education emphasize?

What does bilingual-bicultural education emphasize?

• A. ASL as primary language and English as second language with Deaf culture central
• B. Always English-only
• C. Avoid Deaf culture
• D. Avoid sign language

Answer: (A)

Bilingual-bicultural education emphasizes ASL as the primary language of instruction and English as a second language, with Deaf culture at the center of schooling. This approach ensures students access information through a fully accessible language from the start, supporting language development, concept understanding, and academic progress in ASL. At the same time, English is taught to develop reading and writing skills for broader communication, while Deaf culture and community norms are integrated into the curriculum to foster a strong Deaf identity. This stands in contrast to English-only programs, which limit access to ASL, or approaches that ignore Deaf culture or sign language. The result is learners who are fluent in ASL, connected to Deaf culture, and proficient in English as well.

Bilingual-bicultural education emphasizes ASL as the primary language of instruction and English as a second language, with Deaf culture at the center of schooling. This approach ensures students access information through a fully accessible language from the start, supporting language development, concept understanding, and academic progress in ASL. At the same time, English is taught to develop reading and writing skills for broader communication, while Deaf culture and community norms are integrated into the curriculum to foster a strong Deaf identity. This stands in contrast to English-only programs, which limit access to ASL, or approaches that ignore Deaf culture or sign language. The result is learners who are fluent in ASL, connected to Deaf culture, and proficient in English as well.