ESL resources for non-native ASL Speaker

October 15, 2014 9:19 AM

I'm working with a woman who is in an interesting situation. She is deaf and was born and raised in Somalia. She learned ASL when she moved to the US a few years ago. She is now trying to learn to read and write English to improve her communication skills. Are there any good English learning resources for individuals who use ASL as their primary language?
posted by chara to Education (2 answers total)

Try asking the librarians at Gallaudet University, they should be able to help you.
posted by mareli at 9:33 AM on October 15, 2014

Gallaudet is indeed an excellent resource. The English Language Institute is an on-campus, extensive program for international students. Ohlone College in California has a similar program. There's also the much smaller Mentora College program; they are an ESL school in DC that has teachers who know ASL.

Outside of attending these schools, or some of the other one-off programs around the country (you didn't specify where she lives; there may in fact be something nearby), there is some information out there about ESL for deaf students. This presentation is a good place to learn more about it, and the VL² program at Gallaudet, although targeted to children, has some resources as well.
posted by etoile at 10:32 AM on October 15, 2014