How to Sign "Teaching"
To sign 'teaching', form both hands into flattened 'O' shapes and hold them up near your temples. Move both hands forward a short distance, bring them back slightly, and push them forward again. This repeated forward motion represents the ongoing process of sharing knowledge.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'teaching' is highly iconic and visually logical for beginners to remember. The flattened 'O' hands start up near the head, representing the gathering of thoughts, knowledge, or information from the mind. The forward movement symbolizes taking that knowledge and physically giving or passing it outward to an audience or student. The repeated motion emphasizes that teaching is a continuous, ongoing process.
Signing Tips
When signing 'teaching', focus on keeping your handshapes consistent as flattened 'O's throughout the entire movement. Ensure the motion is clear and deliberate, starting near your head and moving outward to visually represent the sharing of information. The movement should come primarily from your elbows and shoulders rather than just your wrists. Using a distinct double movement is important to show that the action is an ongoing process.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is dropping their hands too low, closer to the chest or shoulders. The sign must originate near the forehead to accurately symbolize knowledge coming from the mind. Another frequent error is using only a single forward movement, which can look like the base verb 'teach' rather than the continuous action of 'teaching'. Make sure to clearly push forward twice.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Teaching" in a Sentence
1I enjoy teaching ASL.
Sign 'I' and 'enjoy', then perform the double forward motion for 'teaching', and finish by fingerspelling A-S-L.
2She is teaching a math class.
Point to your subject for 'she', sign 'teaching' with the repeated forward movement, then sign 'math' and 'class'.
3Are you teaching tomorrow?
Sign 'tomorrow', then 'teaching' while raising your eyebrows and leaning slightly forward to show you are asking a yes/no question.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'teach', 'teaching', and 'teacher'?
The verb 'teach' can be a single forward movement, while 'teaching' uses a repeated movement to show an ongoing process. To sign 'teacher', you sign 'teach' followed by the 'person marker', which involves moving two flat hands straight down to indicate an individual.
Do my hands need to touch my head?
No, your hands should not actually touch your head. They should start in the space just in front of and slightly to the sides of your forehead before moving forward.
Can I sign this with just one hand?
No, 'teaching' is a symmetrical two-handed sign. You need to use both hands moving together simultaneously for the sign to be clear and correct.
Related ASL Signs