Questions: Ellen, a six-year-old with a mild hearing loss, is learning to communicate using a method where each letter of the alphabet is assigned a sign and used to translate English. What method is Ellen using? Finger spelling Total communication approach Cued speech Signed English

The answer is: Finger spelling.

Explanation for each option:

1. Finger spelling: This method involves using hand signs to represent each letter of the alphabet. It is used to spell out words and is often employed in conjunction with other forms of sign language. Since the question specifies that each letter of the alphabet is assigned a sign and used to translate English, finger spelling is the correct answer.

2. Total communication approach: This is a philosophy that incorporates all means of communication, including sign language, oral speech, auditory training, and finger spelling, to facilitate communication. While it may include finger spelling, it is not limited to it, and the question specifically mentions a method where each letter is assigned a sign.

3. Cued speech: This is a visual system of communication used with and among deaf or hard-of-hearing people. It uses hand shapes placed in different positions near the mouth to make the phonemes of spoken language look different from each other. This method does not assign a sign to each letter of the alphabet.

4. Signed English: This is a system that uses signs to represent English words and grammar. While it uses signs, it does not specifically assign a sign to each letter of the alphabet as finger spelling does.

Therefore, the method Ellen is using is finger spelling.