What is the first strategy a teacher should implement to assist a student with a hearing impairment who primarily uses ASL?

The most effective first strategy to assist a student with a hearing impairment who primarily uses American Sign Language (ASL) is to use a sign language interpreter during class. Utilizing an interpreter ensures that the student can fully understand the lesson content, engage with the material, and participate in discussions in real-time. This approach directly addresses the communication needs of the student, allowing for immediate access to verbal information presented in class.

Providing a list of new vocabulary words and key concepts, while beneficial in some contexts, does not replace the need for real-time communication support. It can serve as a supplementary resource but cannot alone facilitate effective understanding during live instruction. Additional tutoring sessions can also be helpful but might not address the immediate need for comprehension during classroom lessons. Encouraging group discussions with peers fosters social interaction and language development, yet without an interpreter, the student may still struggle with fully participating and understanding the conversation. Therefore, starting with a sign language interpreter is the most direct and supportive approach for the student's learning experience.