Practices and Challenges of Using “Sign Language” as a medium of Instruction the case of Dagmawi Minelik and Yekatit 23 Primary Schools in Addis Ababa
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2014-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigation the practices and challenges of using sign
language as a medium of instruction in two primary schools of Deaf students’ classes in
Addis Ababa.
To achieve this end, the research employed descriptive survey research methodology. A
total of 133 respondents participated as the source of data. 90 students with hearing
impairment, 31 teachers 4 principals and 8 parents were involved in the study.
Questionnaires, classroom observation and interview were used as data gathering tools.
The collected data were analyzed using both quantitatively and qualitatively using
frequency counts, percentages and descriptive phrases. The finding of the study indicated
that students, teachers, principals and parents were supportive of using sign language as
the medium of instruction. It was also found that sign language textbooks are not
prepared based on the grade level of students with hearing impairment. The findings of
the study also revealed that lack of sufficient training of teachers in the language,
shortage of involvement by parents in schools in the activities were the major problems
identified during the study.
Based on the finding and conclusions, the study makes recommendations which include
teachers’ sufficient training, supply of necessary curricular materials, professionals
support, mobilizing the community and education offices. The study also recommended
some better ways and means for further implementation of sign language as a medium of
instruction facilities are almost absent. Moreover, lack of commitment and interest by
some teachers to teach in the language, a mismatch between the trained program and the
knowledge gained when put in actual practice, shortage of involvement by parents in
school activities were the major problems identified during the study. Thus, to solve the
above problems recommendations were forwarded. Providing training, supply of
necessary curricular materials, professionals support, mobilizing the community and
education offices. The study also recommended some better ways and means for further
implementation of sign language as a medium of instruction
Description
Keywords
Using “Sign Language” as a medium of Instruction