American Sign Language Teachers
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Sign language teachers provide instruction in signing, or non-verbal, visual communication, to deaf students and those learning it as a second language. In addition to English, they must be fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), which has its own grammatical structure and incorporates the use of body language, finger spelling, and signing. Sign language teachers need good communication and instructional skills and patience. They should also be able to use a variety of different computer programs, including database user interface and query software and voice recognition software.
Job Duties for those who Teach in Sign Language:
- Help Deaf students become more independent
- Teach students who are deaf how to function in the hearing world
- Create opportunities for non-Deaf students to learn ASL & communicate with Deaf students
- Teach both Deaf and hearing students to communicate in ASL
- Inspire and challenge Deaf students to be successful and confident
Key Skills for How to Teach ASL:
- Native or near-native ASL speaker
- Tech savvy to utilize technology in the classroom
- Enjoy being around people and able to work as a team
- Highly organized and able to multitask
- Keen ability to observe development
- Active - you won't be sitting in a chair all day!
Different ASL Job Assignments:
- ASL Teachers for Hearing People - this is most similar to teachers of foreign languages; these professionals teach ASL to people who can hear and would like to be able to communicate with sign language
- ASL Teachers for Deaf Students and their Parents - these teachers aid in developing communication between Deaf children who are born to parents that can hear
- ASL Classroom Interpreters - focused on subjects like math, science, or literature, these teachers help students who are deaf learn in classrooms that are taught in spoken language by teachers that are hearing
How to Become a Sign Language Teacher
Becoming a sign language teacher is the opportunity for an exciting and rewarding career. It requires dedication and passion above all else, but the professional path to success is relatively simple. Outlined below are four steps for how to teach sign language, including cohesive detail of the journey to a fulfilling career as an ASL teacher.
Step 1: Education
Education and credentialing requirements for aspiring sign language teachers vary. Those who work for continuing education centers, businesses, or other organizations will likely need some training and/or experience. Sign language teachers who want to teach sign language in elementary, middle, or high schools need to earn a minimum of a bachelor's degree in deaf education or American Sign Language. Students who pursue ASL as a major might want to undertake a concentration or minor in education. Those who want to teach at a community college or university might need a graduate degree in deaf education or a related field. If you are looking for continuing education colleges that teach sign language, the University of South Carolina American Sign Language program is an excellent opportunity, offering 5-week courses for reasonable prices.
Step 2: Teaching License
Aspiring sign language teachers who want to work in public schools must obtain a teaching license. Requirements vary by state, but can include supervised teaching experience and passing scores on a subject area exam. In addition to a license, prospective sign language teachers might need an endorsement in ASL.
Step 3: Certification
The American Sign Language Teacher's Association (ASLTA) encourages sign language teachers to pursue professional certification. There are three levels, including provisional, qualified, and professional certification. Each level has different requirements when it comes to the number of hours of experience working specifically with deaf students and those learning signing as a second language.
Step 4: Continuing Education
To retain licenses and certification, sign language teachers typically engage in continuing education. They can renew their certification through ASLTA by submitting examples of professional development, including a written narrative of their post-certification teaching history and proof of teaching experience and professional development, like professional workshops and mentorships. Requirements vary by state and level of certification. Continuing education can also help sign language teachers who want to advance to higher positions in academia, such as teaching at the university level.
Continuing education and keeping up to date on knowledge and skills helps teachers be aware of common phrases people want to learn, such as how to sign money in asl or knowing how to communicate 'what do you want' in sign language.
ASL Teacher Salary
While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide salary information specifically for sign language teachers, in May 2019 it reported that special education teachers make $ 61,030/year; the same information shows elementary school teachers, who did not work in special education, earned an average annual salary of $59,420. During the same month, secondary school teachers overall earned an average yearly salary of $61,660. Sign language teachers work in a variety of settings, from public and private schools to community colleges and universities and teach students of varying ages. Before beginning their careers, they should determine what type of classes they want to teach and their desired audience.
Those who speak ASL and possess the ability to teach it do not necessarily have to go into a career in education. There are other options for these professionals, although most of them require additional education. ASL teachers can become librarians, academic advisors, instructional coordinators, or interpreters/translators.
| Job | Salary (2019) | Educational Requirements | Job Outlook (2019-2029) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education Teacher | $61,030 | Bachelor's degree | 3% (as fast as average) |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,420 | Bachelor's degree | 4% (as fast as average) |
| Secondary School Teacher | $61,660 | Bachelor's degree | 4% (as fast as average) |
| Librarian | $59,500 | Master's degree preferred | 5% (faster than average) |
| Academic Advisor | $57,040 | Master's degree | 8% (much faster than average) |
| Instructional Coordinator | $66,290 | Master's degree | 6% (faster than average) |
| Interpreter/Translator | $51,830 | Bachelor's degree | 20% (much faster than average) |
Let's review. Sign language teachers who want to teach at the public school level usually need a bachelor's degree in deaf education or American Sign Language (ASL). As of May 2019, special education teachers make $61.030/year, elementary school teachers, without special education, earned an average annual salary of $59,420, while high school teachers earned $60,320.
