Teaching with sign language
Profession
Organisation
Action scale of the organisation (European, national, local), if relevant
What does your profession involve?
The profession of educational psychologist involves working with children with hearing disabilities. In my case, it involves working in the classroom with children and adapting the teaching content for all subjects according to the needs of each child and the objectives proposed for each one. Also, at the beginning of the school year we plan the objectives and contents proposed for each subject to be taught, we carry out an initial assessment to identify the level of knowledge of each child and draw up personalised intervention plans.
Throughout the school year, the teaching content for each subject is adapted, the knowledge imparted for each subject is checked at the end of the learning unit and the personalised intervention plans are revised. As a psycho-pedagogical teacher in the classroom, it is very important to know sign language, as all teaching and communication with children is done in sign language.
Are you familiar with AAC methods? Since when?
Yes, I acquired this information during my college years. In this course we were shown many examples of AAC models that we could use in practice with children. Therefore, I have been using them daily in the classroom for about 4 years.
These methods make the teaching process much easier for me and the children understand the knowledge transmitted more easily.
In which situations do you use AAC methods?
I use AAC methods in children’s understanding of the contents transmitted. I often use the DLMG (Dictionary of Language Mime and Gesture Online) app in class to explain new terms used for certain subjects to children. This app can also be used on my phone, so I can access it whenever I need to convey a word in sign language. There is also a website that can be accessed from the computer and shown to children.
Which are the benefits of using AAC methods?
There are many benefits of using AAC methods in the classroom.
First of all, hearing-impaired children understand the message conveyed more easily through these methods. Without them, children have difficulty in understanding the message. For hearing impaired children, teachers use pictures corresponding to the words learnt and, above all, sign language to teach them how to write words and how to read. If the children do not go through this process of understanding the words they have learned, they simply memorise the words without understanding what they mean. So, the basics of reading and writing words for children with hearing disabilities are achieved using AAC methods.
Another benefit can be the use of AAC methods by children to convey messages.
In which situation have you seen these benefits?
A prime example of using the DLMG app this school year is while teaching history in the classroom. In 4th grade, one of the new and difficult subjects for children to understand is history. So, using the DLMG app, the children understand some new concepts in sign language and use them correctly in passing on the learned information. In this subject, the DLMG app is a great help in understanding the new terms learned. So, in teaching this subject I have observed the greatest benefit of this application.
Do you think AAC methods are well known in the educational field in your country?
I think they are known and used mostly by teachers in Romania. Very often these AAC methods are used in special education because they help children to understand the message and communicate. In the university, there is a special one-semester course dedicated to learning these AAC methods. I also think that courses should be developed to promote examples of AAC methods used in Romania and other countries. In this way teachers would have a wide range of examples of good practices in using these methods.
Do you think that AAC-related practices should be improved? Why?
I think that in any area improvement is welcome, and in regard to AAC methods, new resources for teachers are welcome. It would also be a great benefit if resources were created wherein these methods are categorised according to the specifics and needs of each child.
Do you have any resources to share (websites, portals, books…)?
Advices to implement AAC methods at school?
The use of as many alternative methods of communication as possible helps develop language, reading and writing skills.