Exploring the status of ‘Ethiopian Sign Language’ as Medium of Instruction for Students with Hearing Impairment. A case study from Sewhi Nigus Primary School for the Deaf, Mekelle
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Date
2017-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Using sign language as medium of instruction narrows communication gap, enhances students’
cognitive and academic development and develop sign language for academic purpose.
However, application of sign language as a medium of instruction has various challenges and
opportunities. Thus ,the purpose of this study was to exploring the status of ‘Ethiopian Sign
Language’ as medium of instruction at ‘Sewhi Nigus primary school for the Deaf’, Mekelle. The
methodical approach was mixed quantitative and qualitative with descriptive design. To this end,
the purposive, availability and simple random sampling techniques were used for collecting data
from n=1 school principal and n=1 SNE expert, n= 16 teachers and n=27 Deaf students, and
n=52 hearing students respectively. The main data gathering instrument was questionnaire.
Interview and observation were also used to triangulate the data. The obtained data through
questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics frequency, percentile, mean and
standard deviation. The qualitative data obtained through open ended questions, interview and
observation were analyzed using narration to support the data obtained through questionnaire.
The major findings of the study revealed that Students who are Deaf were not taught most of the
basic school curriculum with sign language skilled teachers or did not receive the support of
sign language interpreters. As the Deaf Students’ grade level increased, the subjects taught
using sign language in the school is a serious challenge for teachers. Majority of the teachers
have used oral method of communication for Students who are Deaf; however, students’
prefernce is Sign Language. Absence of teaching materials in sign language, disregarding sign
language as subject language, inadequate pre-services and in-services in sign language training
, and majority of the teachers have unfavorable attitude towards sign language as medium
instruction whereas majority of the students have favorable attitude. As a result, students who
are Deaf are at risk of educational failures. Hence, the researcher strongly recommends that
sign language should be included in the basic school curriculum for Students who are Deaf
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Keywords
Ethiopian Sign Language’ as Medium