ASL in ESL *The Amazing Discovery!*

Wanna learn more?
Do you have a question abour ASL in ESL? I am at the forum ready to help you!
http://genkienglish.net/clipart/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5555#5555
The best teachers know that: English without GESTURES is like a lamp without light. Right?
Yes, gestures are the key to learning the vocabulary for good.
I noticed in my teaching activities that sometimes I found myself struggling to find the best gesture for new vocabulary or commands.

And when I was doing some reading about teaching ASL to hearing babies, I realized how descriptive those signs were! Almost the same kind of gestures I have been using in my ESL classes.

So, I decided to make a little fun experiment and see if there are any changes in the learning process by using ASL in my ESL classes.
Having 2 ESL groups with almost the same characteristics (like age, routines learned, level of English, same themes studied and positive attitude to learn) I was attempting to do a little experiment:




BOTH ESL HEARING STUDENTS WILL BE EXPOSED TO THE SAME NEW THEME, THEY NEVER SAW BEFORE, I PICKED I LIKE VEGETABLES.
BUT ONLY ONE OF THEM WILL BE EXPOSED TO ASL. THE OTHER GROUP WILL CONTINUE LEARNING THROUGH GESTURES AS WE ALWAYS DID.
THE RESULTS WERE OVERWHELMING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER I BEGAN THE CLASS!

The difference in the speed and quality of learning between the 2 groups was highly marked!
RESULTS:
The groups who used ASL were more focused, relaxed, comfortable, and active in class from beginning to end.
When they couldnt remember, they started to use the signs by themselves to help remember the new words learned as if they had an ORAL INSTANT FLASH CARD build in INSIDE THEM.
They participated more!
They talked so much more too!
Their learning process could be compared to a ROCKET!
WHY this HUGE difference if they are both gestures after all?
Well:
-ASL is clear, easy and descriptive in signing the word that is expressed.
The sign is only related to the English word and NOT to the word in native language.
-They learn the sign language first because it is fun to do and easy and they sign DRAG alone the English world almost automatically.
-By themselves they started using the ASL as an Oral Instant Flash Card. Can you imagine putting a dictionary in your students brains? This acts almost likes that! LOL
My kids also understood that the ASL sings belongs to a word with a meaning and not to a fancy choreography of one song.
See you soon!

All the lessons/videos/original songs are from the Amazing: http://www.genkienglish.com
THank you Richard to share your talent to the world!

This sites are in order of the most full in content and easy to learn (Learn ASL trough a video is definetly more easy than try to read a pic) to the very first I was in touch with.
ALL are FREE:

http://www.signingsavvy.com/search.php?search=girl&submitSearch.x=0&s...
http://www.aslpro.com/
http://www.lifeprint.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/SigningTime
http://www.youtube.com/user/SmartHandsCA

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[gogoguy89]

Hi, I am studying Intent Community Participation at the university of california at santa cruz. This is one of the most amazing things I have seen in regards to fostering the development of ESL while incorporating even another language (ASL). I will be writing mid term essay using this as an example, this is amazing what you are doing and I hope to mimic it someday (after I learn to sign!)

Thanks

[DaddyRossPreschool]

hi!! Wow! I feel so flattered! I would love to read your essay when you are finished and if you need any more material just let me know! I got plenty!

[adfcsumit]

hi.. wow wow.. this is job hard. I like with new good.. ok

[DaddyRossPreschool]

Hi!!! THank you for your comment!

[vjm1234]

Wow! Val this is amazing! Hope you are well my dear sweet friend. SmileyD

[DaddyRossPreschool]

Hi Vivky!!!! THank you for step by and visiting here!!

I am doing great !!!

Hugs!! from argentina... all of us!

[vickyallen0608]

This is a great video! I have a presentation to make in the UAE on using ASL as a 'bridge' to learning English. I would very much like to use this video, if you would give me permission. Also, anything else you would like to share. My audience will be teachers of English from K through College. I, myself, am a college teacher and still see the huge advantages of using ASL to help in the learning of even the more difficult vocabulary and concepts. Their pronunciation is better as well.

[Corvettes66]

In ESL you sign “I have two sisters”, I would make a sign for each words. In ASL you would sign “two” and “sister” and then point to myself so you‘re signing “two sisters, me.” ESL is the right language to use and makes sense. When I was little I always had a hard time signing with a few kids who used the ASL, majority of them never made sense. When the ASL users write an essay they never made sense on what they‘re writing and trying to say because of the ASL, our teacher had to correct them.

[milly1326]

I'm an English teacher in Puerto Rico and I was searching for different methods to use in a highly active kindergarten class. This is simply amazing. I want to experiment with it!!! I think this is a perfect example of future teaching methods... I guess I'll have to research sign language before I start!

[MrsSantone]

This is such a fabulous example of how amazing ASL is and how it can even be applied to EL students. It is a visual technique that is so helpful for many students.

[MrsSantone]

This is such a fabulous example of how amazing ASL is and how it can even be applied to EL students. It is a visual technique in and of itself that is so helpful for so many students.

[Lydiaabbey]

I just start to learn ASL recently, am hard of hearing. I can sign some simple words now. I joined a great deaf daing site, --------deafmatching dot c om--------, and met some good deaf/HOH friends over there. They help me to learn ASL.