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Teaching any subjects in elementary, middle, high school and even in college, while it is looked upon as an positive experience, does come with some downside. I cannot emphasize enough that this cannot be ignored because for the rookie teacher, what you learn in school, will never prepare you for what you will experience in a real teaching environment. Teaching American Sign Language (ASL) is not any different than teaching Math, Science, History or any other subject(s), however, it is significantly different in how the mind conveys what it is learning. The process of how we communicate information to our students in other subjects can be done through the mouth, throat, and vocal cords as our dominant form of communication. However, with ASL, we can use some form of that communication, but most of the communication is done using our hands and body movements. 

One of the conflicts you will find when it comes to teaching ASL, regardless of the grade of the student, is that you will find that these students have different needs. It is extremely rare to find a classroom, in which, you will have eight to twelve perfect students in your classroom. 

Within your classroom, you will find three kinds of students: Elite Students, Average Students, and Learning Difficulty Students. 

The elite students can be defined in the following ways: these are students who are can easily understand the concept of spacial area and recognition of receptive skills that is needed to understand American Sign Language. These are students who also has a significant understanding of how facial expression, body language, conversational and presentation skills works. Yes, these student will typically be some of your best students, but it does not mean that their behaviors will be outstanding. 

The average student can be defined in the following ways: these students have somewhat a basic understanding of the concept of spacial area and recognition of receptive skills needed to understand American Sign Language. These are students who also has an average understanding of facial expression, body language, conversational and presentational skills.These students typically see American Sign Language as a fun language to learn and as an alternative to other foreign language. Of course, these students tend to be extremely well-behaved, however, there will be few who might need some behavior management. 

Lastly, the learning difficulty students can be defined in the following ways: these students concept of spacial area is very good, however, recognition of receptive skills needs improvement and constant repetitive discipline until they have a clear understanding. These are students which varies, from student to student, but these students has a lack of understanding in one or more of these areas in: facial expression, body language, conversational and presentational skills. Now there can be exceptions to this case, however, these students tend to need the most attention in your classroom when it comes to learning American Sign Language. 

There is never a perfect answer. Only you can determine what will work for you and what works for your classroom. As we continue to learn within time, knowing that within our classroom we have particular students who have needs and possibility need more special attention than other students, by adhering to this structure, we can minimize conflict within our classrooms. 

Someone asked me one day this question: How did I get into teaching? I paused. I let my brain take a moment to reflect my past with billions of images as it tried to connect the dots of how I got into teaching. After few moments, which felt like nanoseconds ago, I was ready to answer the question. A long, long, long time ago...

I remember my favorite teacher of all time. Mr. P. (for the sake of privacy, it’s just better to call him Mr. P anyways). Mr P was one of those extraordinary teachers that you had wished when you were in middle school to nominate for the Presidential Award for the United States Best Teacher, but you were not matured to do so in the first place. If you were to ever choose any history class at Magsig Middle School, it was extremely well-known that Mr. P was the number one choice. 

His creativity, flexibility, intelligence, and just his love of history, he essentially flaunted to everyone in his class. Nobody knew what the next day of class was going to be like. Like the day that Mr. P walked into the classroom dressed as a Roman soldier. Or the other day when we entered the classroom and there were shield and swords against the wall. Or the day when he jumped on the desk in recital of his favorite ancient historian. 

History class with Mr P certainly was not easy. His expectations were set high. You were expected to memorize and recite certain assignments. It was expected that your hand would be tired from never scribbling notes in your notebook. Quizzes were at least once a week. The tests were the hardest I’ve ever taken during either middle or high school, yet, it was worth it. 

Why? 

Because still to this day, I remember everything. When Julius Caesar died. When the Roman empire died. When the Black Plague occurred. When Christopher Columbus sailed and found America. When and who was important during the renaissance period. 

It was after taking his class that I decided that one day I’d like to do what Mr. P did: 

Teach history or to teach something.

First, what does ASL stand for? Ah ha! I bet you already know. Or I bet you don’t. Either way, I win. According to The Urban Dictionary, there is seven definitions, but we’re gonna go with the top three. Let’s go to the first one: it states that ASL is what stupid people say on chats to learn who you are and where you live so they can come to your house with a chainsaw and kill you. And you believed that one, did you not? How about the second one, which states that, asl is age sex location. which is followed by a block from your buddylist. Wow, I do not know if this is hilarious or just borderline scary. Alright, let’s move on to the last one: 1. Above Sea Level 2. Age Sex Location 3. American Sign Language. So, which is it?

American Sign Language. Actually, if you put “asl” in the Google search box, the top four links are geared to American Sign Language. Well, what does this have to do with teaching American Sign Language? Please be patient. You are getting way too ahead of yourself. Well, first, I just wanted to clarify that what you are reading here is on the subject of American Sign Language and not on the subject of the Association of Symbolic Logic. You know, that would be a interesting read as well.

Secondly, why should you teach ASL? Did you know that ASL is the fastest growing language in high schools and colleges across the United States? Since 2002, it has seen a 532% increase in enrollment in colleges and a 450% increase in enrollment in high schools across the United States. Now really think, it is now 2010 and the trend is still growing significantly. The supply of teachers simply cannot keep up with the demand for ASL teachers!

Depending on level of education and if you are certified by ASLTA, the pay and benefits of teaching American Sign Language can be excellent. Take a look at the job posting that ASLTA provides for potential employment if you’re an ASL teacher. Both private and public high schools are looking for extremely well-educated teachers who can develop a curriculum that allows flexibility to learn American Sign Language at a pace that is comfortable for them.

Lastly, here’s some benefits of teaching and learning American Sign Language as well:

The possibilities are endless. Go find out what yours are!

Two days ago, I got an email from TeachStreet letting me know that I was chosen to be the Featured Sign Language Blog on TeachStreet.com. Keep an eye out for my featured post as soon as Feature Blogger Program is rolled out very soon.