American Sign Language should be taught in all schools

By Faith Gallishaw ’25

American Sign Language being taught in schools would have many benefits not only to the deaf community, but all school districts as well. A prime example of this would be enhancing students’ cognitive abilities,  spatial reasoning, and fostering their academic growth.

American Sign Language should be taught in  schools to help people of the deaf community feel included in their everyday lives at school. If a deaf student goes to a school where students do not know ASL, this makes the student feel left out and makes it challenging for them to interact with other students or make friends. “If I’m in a group of full hearing people, I’ll always get left out no matter what.” In this interview, a student who was not named in the “Educational Service Center of Ohio” article shares her experience of being a deaf student in a group of hearing kids. She would often feel left out..

Without a doubt, this would also enhance students’ communication skills not only now, but also later in life when they enter college or even the working world or jobs that involve interacting, or helping others socially. Learning ASL would enhance their communication and allow them to interact more with the deaf community. According to “Student Learning, Childhood voices” it states, “Speech reading is not only a communication technique. It also helps students become more engaged in the learning process.” Learning ASL would also benefit hearing students in school and outside of school.

Teaching American Sign Language in schools benefits both deaf and hearing students. It fosters inclusion for deaf students, helping them feel connected, while enhancing communication skills for hearing students. By endorsing ASL, schools promote greater understanding, empathy, and prepare students for future social and professional interactions, creating a more inclusive and connected society.