I wanted to add on how ASL improved my English skills and learning about new things in classes. It did the same for me as well. After graduating from Arizona State University with a little understanding of my studies but passing by just doing what is required, I took the teacher certification assessments and failed the writing part. I scored 100 something out of 400 points. Then I went to Gallaudet University for graduate school with little fluency in ASL. After a semester at Gallaudet, I became fluent and finally started to understand my studies and the field of education in general unlike I did at ASU. Not that ASU was a bad program, it was having oral interpreters and CARTs which made me focus on trying to understand what is being said rather than learning from the professors. I would go home with very sore eyes and exhaustion. At Gallaudet, the classes were very stimulating and I felt very much a part of the learning process because I was able to engage in classroom discussions freely. So, my critical thinking skills improved..yes, at the age of 28 years old.
After graduating from Gallaudet, I took the teacher certification tests and I pulled my writing score from 100 something to over 350. It was amazing what ASL did for my writing even though it was a separate language.
Also, when I write, I feel a connection to what is coming out of my hand when before, it was robotic and without feeling.
This is why I strongly believe in using ASL to teach rather than any manually coded systems. I believe learning takes place by engaging in critical thinking and SEE or oral deaf ed doesnt allow for it due to the barriers.
