Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Bilingual Education and Deaf Learners: Linguistic Empowerment and Cognitive Development in Inclusive Contexts

Francesco Tafuri, Generoso Romano

Abstract

Bilingual education for deaf children is increasingly recognized as a transformative approach that supports not only language development but also identity formation, cognitive growth, and social inclusion. This paper explores inclusive practices within bilingual educational models, emphasizing the need for systemic reform, teacher preparation, and community collaboration. By situating deaf learners within linguistically and culturally responsive frameworks, inclusive bilingual education fosters academic success and psychological well-being. The paper highlights the importance of integrating sign language and spoken/written language in a balanced manner, ensuring that educational environments are accessible, equitable, and affirming of deaf identity. Additionally, it underscores the urgency of research-informed policy development, technological investment, and stakeholder engagement to support sustainable and inclusive practices. The findings suggest that a multidimensional approach, rooted in equity and linguistic human rights, is essential for realizing the full potential of bilingual education for deaf children.

Keywords

BilingualismDeaf EducationInclusionSign LanguageCognitive Development

References

Antia, S. D., Jones, P. B., Reed, S., & Kreimeyer, K. H. (2011). Academic status and progress of deaf and hard-of-hearing students in general education classrooms. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 16(2), 162–174. Baker, C., & Cokely, D. (1980). American Sign Language: A Teacher’s Resource Text on Grammar and Culture. Silver Spring, MD: T.J. Publishers. Bialystok, E., Craik, F. I. M., Klein, R., & Viswanathan, M. (2004). Bilingualism, aging, and cognitive control: Evidence from the Simon task. Psychology and Aging, 19(2), 290– https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.19.2.290 Bonna, K., Finc, K., Zimmermann, M., Bola, ?., Mostowski, P., Szul, M., Rutkowski, P., Duch, W., Marchewka, A., Jednoróg, K., & Szwed, M. (2019). Early deafness leads to re-shaping of global functional connectivity beyond the auditory cortex. arXiv preprint. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1903.11915 Chamberlain, C., & Mayberry, R. (2008). The influence of sign language structure on early bilingual literacy. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 13(4), 561–578. https://doi.org/10.1093/deafed/enn021 Davidson, K., Lillo-Martin, D., & Chen Pichler, D. (2014). The right to language: Advancing language in deaf children with cochlear implants. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 78(3), 384–392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2013.12.021 Drasgow, E. (1993). Bilingual/Bicultural Deaf education: An overview. Sign Language Studies, 80, 243–266. https://doi.org/10.1353/sls.1993.0004 Fischer, S. (1998). Academic achievement among deaf students: The impact of bilingualism and language deprivation. In M. Marschark (Ed.), Deaf cognition: Foundations and outcomes (pp. 93–115). Oxford University Press. Florian, L., & Black-Hawkins, K. (2011). Exploring inclusive pedagogy. British Educational Research Journal, 37(5), 813–828. Garcia, O., & Wei, L. (2014). Translanguaging: Language, bilingualism and education. Palgrave Macmillan. Grosjean, F. (2008). Studying bilinguals. Oxford University Press. Grosjean, F. (2010). Bilingual: Life and reality. Harvard University Press. Guardian editorial citing Hall, W. C. (2024, December). Cochlear implants make a useful addition to sign language but should not replace access to ASL. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/ Hall, W. C., Levin, L. L., & Anderson, M. L. (2017). Language deprivation syndrome: A possible neurodevelopmental disorder with socio-cultural origins. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 52(6), 761–776. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-017-1351-7 Hermans, D., Knoors, H., Ormel, E., & Verhoeven, L. (2008). The relation between the reading and signing skills of deaf children in bilingual education programs. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 13(4), 518–530. Hoffmeister, R. J. (2000). A piece of the puzzle: ASL and reading comprehension in deaf children. In C. Chamberlain, J. P. Morford, & R. I. Mayberry (Eds.), Language acquisition by eye (pp. 143–163). Psychology Press. Humphries, T., Kushalnagar, P., Mathur, G., Napoli, D. J., Padden, C., Rathmann, C., & Smith, S. R. (2014). What medical education can do to ensure robust language development in deaf children. Medical Science Educator, 24(3), 255–265. Kellett, M., & Dar, A. (2007). Children researching their lives: Ethical issues and participation. Routledge. Koulidobrova, J., & Pichler, D. (2021). Translanguaging in bilingual deaf education teacher preparation programs. Languages, 8(1), 65. https://doi.org/10.3390/languages8010065 Kushalnagar, P., Hannay, H. J., & Hernandez, R. E. (2010). Deaf children with cochlear implants: The influence of sign language on spoken language development. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 15(5), 529–541. Kushalnagar, P., Hannay, H., & Hernandez, G. (2010). Executive function among bilingual deaf adults: CI users and native signers perform comparably. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 15(4), 377–386. https://doi.org/10.1093/deafed/enq024 Ladd, P. (2003). Understanding Deaf Culture: In Search of Deafhood. Multilingual Matters. Lane, H., Hoffmeister, R., & Bahan, B. (1996). A journey into the Deaf-World. DawnSignPress. Marschark, M., & Hauser, P. C. (2012). How deaf children learn: What parents and teachers need to know. Oxford University Press. Mayberry, R. I. (2002). When timing is everything: Age of first-language acquisition effects on second-language learning. Applied Psycholinguistics, 23(3), 537–549. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0142716402003031 Mayberry, R. I. (2007). When timing is everything: Age of first-language acquisition effects on second-language learning. Applied Psycholinguistics, 28(3), 537–549. Mayberry, R. I., & Kluender, R. (2017). Rethinking the critical period for language: New insights into an old question from American Sign Language. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 21(5), 886–905. Mayer, C., & Akamatsu, C. T. (2003). Bilingualism and literacy. In M. Marschark & P. E. Spencer (Eds.), Oxford handbook of deaf studies, language, and education (Vol. 1, pp. 136–147). Oxford University Press. Mayer, C., & Leigh, G. (2010). The changing context for sign bilingual education programs: Issues in language and the development of literacy. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 13(2), 175–186. Padden, C., & Humphries, T. (2005). Inside Deaf Culture. Harvard University Press. Peal, E., & Lambert, W. E. (1962). The relation of bilingualism to intelligence. Psychological Monographs, 76(27), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0093877 Petitto, L. A., Katerelos, M., Levy, B. G., Gauna, K., Tétrault, K., & Ferraro, V. (2001). Bilingual signed and spoken language acquisition from birth: Implications for the mechanisms underlying early bilingual language acquisition. Journal of Child Language, 28(2), 453–496. Swanwick, R. (2010). Policy and practice in sign bilingual education: Development, challenges, and directions. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 13(2), 147–158. Swanwick, R. (2016). Scaffolding learning through classroom talk: The role of bilingual discourse in deaf education. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 19(2), 180–197. Swanwick, R., & Gregory, S. (2007). Sign bilingual education: Policy and practice. In M. Marschark & P. C. Hauser (Eds.), Deaf cognition: Foundations and outcomes (pp. 287– 312). Oxford University Press. Swanwick, R., & Marschark, M. (2010). Enhancing education for deaf children: Research into practice and back again. Deafness & Education International, 12(4), 217–235. https://doi.org/10.1179/1557069X10Y.0000000002 Swanwick, R., & Martchark, M. (2015). Translanguaging practices in deaf education: Policy and pedagogy. Applied Linguistics Review, 6(2), 123–147. Watson, L. M., Hardie, T., & Archbold, S. (2008). Deaf education and cochlear implantation: Perspectives of parents and teachers. Deafness & Education International, 10(3), 152– Wilbur, R. (2008). The Need for a Sign Language: Bilingual or Bicultural Sign Language Education for Deaf Children. In C. Chamberlain, C. Lytle, & R. Herrmann (Eds.), Deaf world: A historical reader and primary sourcebook (pp. 74–82). New York University Press.

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND EVALUATION