Korean Job Discussion Forums

[weatherman]

I have a deaf student in my class. It is hard to give her much personal help, because it is one of those large university freshmen conversation classes. I know she understands how to read a little bit of English, but I have the students mostly doing conversation practice, and she can't speak really, not even Korean to well. She sits there very polite, but I know she is bothered when all the students are trying to converse, moving to a new partner, having a bit of fun hopefully, and she is sitting there doing nothing. I see this in her eyes. Any ideas of what I can do?

[OiGirl]

Can she voice?
Can she lipread?
If she has these skills in Korean, they could be transferred to English. Not easy in one semester in a large class, though!
Doesn't she have an interpreter or "language faciliator"? Back home, schools are legally required to provide this if needed.
How does she function in her other classes?
I know it's a conversation class, but can you give her all the activities as written assignments?
Why is she in this class anyway -- is it required?

I taught a deaf student in the US, but it was a mixed-skills class, not conversation. Her interpreter came with her, but I also focused on reading and writing skills on the days she was there, because if she was practicing conversation, it was in American Sign Language anyway.

[weatherman]

Well it is a required course, and no she doesn't have a language facilitator there for her. I really don't know how she gets by with her studies. I give a lot of credit to my school for giving the chance to disabled students to attend, for there are quite a few enrolled here. I was thinking of making a written sheet of what we do in class, for I don't really use the book they make us use that much. With that written sheet, she could prep for a short exam during midterm and final weeks? I don't really know.

[Squaffy]

I came across this in India and was befuddled as to what to do for a while - my solution was to learn the basics of sign language and get the class to learn it too. It got the deaf student actively taking part, but the lesson planning was quite hideous - PM me if you would like me to e-mail you the plans - I'm sure you could easily adapt them to your situation
Squaff xxx

[SeniorEnglish]

One time, I was asked to teach a blind man sign language. No kidding, he was slowly going deaf due to a disease. I was left in utter confusion.

[the_beaver]

Explain to the class that this is a great opportunity for them because it gives them a reason to improve their writing skills in a real context rather than just writing out dumbass essays that nobody cares about.

When you break the class into groups the students that are with her get to practice writing. Switch the groups around a bit so that everybody gets to practice writing, and when you stop by whatever group she's in be sure to correct a few of the sentences to give it more validity.

[Peter Jackson]

I have a deaf student in my high school class. He's a great student, works very hard and some of the students are very helpful and encouraging. I also teach a conversation class and I give him work just like everyone else. He does the conversation work and, although I have no idea what he said, I still encourage him. Sometimes the game or activity requires hearing and sometimes I need to skip over him...(telephone for example).

Korean schools do not have any support for deaf students, unfortunately.

[the_beaver]

[kimchi_pizza]

As a EFL teacher you should already naturally use a lot of hand gestures, body movement, facial expressions. I think you'll be alright and ought to be an interesting experience for all. I say take advantage of a unique opportunity....somehow!

[tomato]

I agree with Squaffy.
Especially since teaching sign language is good for the class anyway.
Some people agree, some don't.
For more on this, click on the link:


http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=39890&highlight=sign+language+Braille