Sign Language Teaching for the Hearing Disabled

Abstract

Each and every speech community, all around the world use their own and unique language to communicate with one another. Like wise the people who have hearing and speaking disabilities use the sign language as a means of communication . This study is based on the students of Nuffield at Kaithady, Jaffna. The data for this research were obtained through direct observations and conversations with the primary students of the said school. The research studies how the knowledge in sign language enables the people with hearing disabilities to access the education and to ease their communication. With the direct observations and communications it was revealed that the students face problems in their higher studies. The school has set a pass percentage to identify and observe the improvement of the students. Going through the test marks of the students who were trained to use sign language it was noted that the said students had received poor marks in exams; a result of the burred understanding of sign language. The students are being taught using sign language especially for the ordinary level examination by the trainers who come from various part of the country. Sign language has its variations limited to different areas. Consequently, this variation leaves the students confused. They also encounter some setbacks in answering the questions due to lack of knowledge in language. In order to avoid this situation they should be given a clear idea of the exam papers by the teacher who teaches them the sign language. It may ensure them a chance to follow the higher education. Here the researcher further highlights the fact that a change in the system of examination is essential benefiting the hearing disabled students.