Read below, it is really more to educate deaf children than to make sure the hearing community is included.
The word bilingual (by-LING-gwal) means being able to speak 2 languages. The word bicultural (by-CUL-tur-al) means being part of 2 cultures, or 2 communities.
* In bi-bi (by-by), children use 2 languages and learn about 2 cultures:
o Children learn American Sign Language (ASL) as a first language. They learn ASL as their main way of communicating with other people.
o They learn English as a second language.
They use English mainly for reading and writing.
They may also learn spoken English.
o Children learn about and become part of Deaf culture and the Deaf community.
o They are also still part of their family's culture and their family's community.
* Bilingual-biculturalism (bi-bi) is based on the idea that deaf children need a language they can see.
o Spoken English is very hard to learn because they can't hear.
o Since they learn by seeing, American Sign Language (ASL) is best for them.
o Once they've learned one language, they can pick up other languages more easily.
