156 education
Ways to support deaf children in hearing classrooms
It is not enough just to open the school doors to deaf children. A deaf
child who learns in a regular classroom needs a teacher and classmates
who can communicate with her. Lessons must be taught in a way deaf
children can understand. If a deaf child cannot understand, she will
not learn.
When schools do not provide enough support for deaf children, they will
not learn as well as hearing children. If schools expect deaf children to
learn less, then all children will learn the same thing — deaf children
are less capable. This idea is not true and harms everyone.
Offer extra training to teachers so they can learn how to
communicate with deaf children
A teacher who has not worked with children who are deaf or who
can hear only a little may be unsure about how to teach a child
who does not hear well. Talk to the teacher about the child’s
needs and abilities, and see if there are simple ways to make
learning easier for the child.
Ping-guo enjoys looking
at posters, drawings, and
models. He learns most
by seeing, but he can
hear a little, too.
We will do our
best to help Ping-
guo participate
in class activities.
If a child can hear a little or read lips, the teacher should face the
child when she speaks and check often to make sure the child can see
her mouth.
Let the child sit close to the teacher. She will be better able to see the
teacher’s lips move. She will also be less distracted by the movements of
other children.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)