What does the chaining technique involve?

The chaining technique is a specific instructional strategy primarily utilized in teaching language skills, particularly in the context of manual communication, such as sign language. This method involves using a sequence of signs presented in a connected manner to help students grasp the structure and flow of communication. By incorporating fingerspelling, pointing, and re-fingerspelling, the chaining technique enables learners to link individual signs and concepts to create coherent phrases or sentences.

This approach fosters understanding by visually and physically engaging students in forms of communication that align with their linguistic needs. It emphasizes the connection between visual sign language elements and their meanings—allowing learners to see the relationships and transitions between signs as they form larger constructs of language. Consequently, this technique supports language acquisition in a more interactive and comprehensive way, which is essential for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing.