Young children learning and understanding number and mathematical reasoning using BSL

TL;DRAbstract

Deaf children whose preferred language is BSL are being taught mathematics and assessed in English (a second language for them). If deaf children are underachieving in mathematics, it is likely related to the fact that they are (often) not taught mathematics in their native/preferred language, BSL, or assessed in their native/preferred language. These children are either taught through spoken English, 'signs supporting English' (spoken English with the use of gestures and sign vocabulary borrowed from BSL but impoverished grammatically), or impoverished BSL. Some of these children are fortunate to be taught by teachers fluent in BSL, by Deaf native users of the language or fluent 2L BSL users. The majority of these children have parents who did not have knowledge of BSL when they were born and who often do not develop fluent BSL after their children are recognised as deaf. These children who are biologically suited to visual language development often acquire BSL through impoverished p

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