ASL Should be Taught More in Schools

Post date: May 19, 2026

by Karlie Dunn

Many may not realize that American Sign Language is recognized as an actual language, but it is. Only about 4% of public schools in the United States have ASL as a course. Many kids with this disability do not have access to education and, more often than you might think, are placed in a classroom where no one knows ASL. Offering this as a course creates numerous opportunities for children to learn how to communicate effectively in diverse situations and promotes inclusion for deaf or hard-of-hearing students. 

  One big advantage is that kids would feel more welcome in schools. Students would be able to communicate with people with hearing problems, and they would not feel left out. School is not only academics, but where children’s social life really begins. Less than 2% of people who do not have hearing problems know sign language. About 15% of Americans are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Not only does learning sign language help communicate with the deaf community, but it also helps improve memory and everyday communication skills. Learning and knowing ASL can also open to many career paths, such as interpreters, workers in health care, education, and customer service.

There are some who believe it is not a crucial language to learn and may not come across it very often. Others believe that it would not benefit those who do not have hearing disabilities. But that is not the case in America. There are more benefits to knowing it in everyday life than some might think. Deaf kids should not have to rely on lip reading or writing on a white board. ASL should be recognized as a language that is beneficial for students and deserves a place in more schools.