Two pilot studies probed effectiveness of linguistically controlled, highly visual computer-assisted instruction (CAI) for English grammar instruction with hearing-impaired high school students (N=29 in the first study and N=71 in the second). Results from the first study suggested that state-of-the-art CAI designed specifically for use with this population improved students' ability to use articles with count nouns. The second study focused on use of icons to teach English syntax by symbolizing the essence of either a negative or an interrogative syntactical structure and asking students to rank icons implying "negation" or "interrogation." Those exposed to American Sign Language (ASL) selected icons reflecting facial expressions of a native ASL speaker, while those who communicated orally selected universal symbols found in English texts. (PB)