Deafness : An Introduction, Primary & Post Primary : 2 Day Seminar

This course is ideally suited to mainstream and special education teachers, primary and post-primary, who are new to teaching deaf and hard of hearing pupils as well as those who may wish to upskill in this area. This two day seminar provides and understanding of deafness and how this effects the pupil’s ability to learn.

Anticipated Outcomes

Participants will:

• Be aware of the nature and impact of deafness
• Understand the unique language, communication, social and emotional and assistive technology needs of deaf students
• Gain practical strategies that could impact on learning and teaching
• Be enabled to promote collaborative approaches to meeting the needs of deaf/hard of hearing students
• Access resources specifically for deaf / hard of hearing students

Course Outline and Content

• The Nature of Deafness: how the ear works; the causes, types and classifications of deafness; the nature of sound and the audiogram
• The Classroom Environment: accessing the acoustic/physical and linguistic environment; types of amplification; hearing aids, FM systems and soundfield systems; cochlear implants; strategies for enhancing the classroom environment
• Social and Emotional Development: balancing the social and emotional impact with the demands on literacy and language; implications on behaviour, motivation and self-esteem
• Language and Communication Approaches: language acquisition and development;  approaches to language development; the digital language experience approach; communication approaches including sign language, finger spelling, bilingual approach, total communication and the oral/aural approach
• Learning and Teaching Strategies / Planning Workshop: practical strategies for the learning and teaching of deaf students; accessing the curriculum; available supports
• Resources: websites and books; a display of classroom resources.

Information for Applicants

The course is open to

• Teachers working with student(s) who are deaf and hard of hearing in a mainstream setting
• Teachers in special schools who are currently working with student(s) who are deaf and hard of hearing
• Full-time Special Education Teachers who are currently working with student(s) who are deaf and hard of hearing
• Participants will require permission from the Board of Management to attend. Typically, substitution for this seminar will only be allowed to subject teachers with primary responsibility for students with a special educational need and if it is deemed absolutely essential by the Principal
• Typically substitution will only be allocated to non - substitute teachers
• Payment is not available to teachers in a substitute capacity

Refreshments and lunch will be provided