2 answers
sharon
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
3
Questions
Asked
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why is there not much jobs for people who want to teach ASL?
also known as American sign language and i want to be a teacher for one after i take the classes i need to take how many years does it take to become a teacher for it?
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2 answers
Alan Weber
writer and retired teacher, teacher educator and academic advisor
207
Answers
Woodstock, New York
Updated
Alan’s Answer
Sharon, our society is way behind in its understanding of the need for and benefits of ASL. In addition to being a teacher of students, or one student, with hearing impairments, being an interpreter for presentations, or teaching ASL to others, there are other jobs for which ASL has great value. Research shows that ASL has major benefits for all young children, helping them to develop their language skills and, for very young ones and those with language delays, learning to communicate even before they develop competence in oral language. Unfortunately, many colleges still don't consider ASL to be among their language offerings, so as to count towards their degrees.
In terms of how many years it takes to become a teacher of ASL, that depends on where and whom you want to teach. If you want to teach in public schools, you'd need (and want) to complete a major in Education, up to the graduate level. But if you want to teach it to adults or more informally in workshops, community programs or training schools, becoming fully fluent in it would probably be sufficient. Hopefully you'll find advisors on here more knowledgeable about your options.
In terms of how many years it takes to become a teacher of ASL, that depends on where and whom you want to teach. If you want to teach in public schools, you'd need (and want) to complete a major in Education, up to the graduate level. But if you want to teach it to adults or more informally in workshops, community programs or training schools, becoming fully fluent in it would probably be sufficient. Hopefully you'll find advisors on here more knowledgeable about your options.
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
sharon
Amit Mittal
Officer at Citibank
96
Answers
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Updated
Amit’s Answer
Hi Sharon,
There are several reasons why there might not seem to be many jobs for people who want to teach American Sign Language (ASL):
Limited Demand: While the demand for ASL teachers is growing, it’s still not as high as for teachers of more widely spoken languages.
Limited Awareness: Many people are not aware of the importance and benefits of learning ASL, which can limit the number of teaching positions available.
Budget Constraints: Schools and other institutions may face budget constraints that limit their ability to offer ASL classes.
However, there are many opportunities for ASL teachers in various fields such as education, health, therapy, and recreational services. ASL-fluent teachers are needed as teachers at deaf schools, special education teachers, and college professors at institutions like Gallaudet University and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID).
As for becoming an ASL teacher, it generally takes a minimum of five years of intensive language study and immersion to develop advanced levels of proficiency with ASL. This includes time spent learning the language itself as well as obtaining teaching credentials. The American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) offers several levels of certification: provisional, qualified, and professional. To obtain ASLTA certification, you’ll need a minimum of five years experience using ASL on a daily basis.
Remember, these are just general guidelines. The exact timeline can vary depending on factors such as your prior experience with ASL and the specific requirements of the certification program you choose. Good luck with your journey to becoming an ASL teacher! 😊
There are several reasons why there might not seem to be many jobs for people who want to teach American Sign Language (ASL):
Limited Demand: While the demand for ASL teachers is growing, it’s still not as high as for teachers of more widely spoken languages.
Limited Awareness: Many people are not aware of the importance and benefits of learning ASL, which can limit the number of teaching positions available.
Budget Constraints: Schools and other institutions may face budget constraints that limit their ability to offer ASL classes.
However, there are many opportunities for ASL teachers in various fields such as education, health, therapy, and recreational services. ASL-fluent teachers are needed as teachers at deaf schools, special education teachers, and college professors at institutions like Gallaudet University and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID).
As for becoming an ASL teacher, it generally takes a minimum of five years of intensive language study and immersion to develop advanced levels of proficiency with ASL. This includes time spent learning the language itself as well as obtaining teaching credentials. The American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) offers several levels of certification: provisional, qualified, and professional. To obtain ASLTA certification, you’ll need a minimum of five years experience using ASL on a daily basis.
Remember, these are just general guidelines. The exact timeline can vary depending on factors such as your prior experience with ASL and the specific requirements of the certification program you choose. Good luck with your journey to becoming an ASL teacher! 😊