This article describes techniques used to teach English to a 16-year-old Hispanic who is deaf. The educational plan involved vocabulary development, noting similarities and differences between Spanish and English, use of a language experience approach with principles of Sheltered English, and respect for the student's native language and culture.…

The Total Physical Response (TPR) method of language instruction is introduced, and guidelines for designing and implementing TPR lessons for students with hearing impairments are provided. In TPR instruction, students develop understanding before speech or signing, understanding is demonstrated through actions, and new vocabulary is developed…

Describes how using American Sign Language can facilitate the development of skills in spoken English for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Discusses factors influencing how well a child with deafness will develop spoken language and the need to teach the two languages separately. (CR)

Ideas to help parents of deaf children foster English language development include communicating regularly in writing, handling public encounters the "deaf" way, interacting with deaf adults, reading books by/about deaf people, learning and maintaining sign language skills, joining local and state associations, and making sure the television has a…

Spelling instruction for students with deafness is examined in the context of the whole-language approach. Stages in the development of spelling ability are identified, and five strategies for young writers are suggested. (DB)

A teacher of students with hearing impairments describes the development, organization, and uses of an extensive file of trading card-sized pictures. The pictures are particularly useful for teaching language concepts to these children. (DB)

The use of invented spelling in educational programs for students with deafness is described. Students use a variety of spelling strategies, such as visual, kinesthetic, sounding out, handshape in sign language, and functional spellings. Methods of encouraging risk taking in spelling are discussed, and the changing use of spelling tests is noted.…

Some deaf interpreting strategies are offered to parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Parents are urged to utilize space in their interpreting, use name signs, utilize sight lines to distinguish characters in stories, use exaggerated signs to translate nursery rhymes, place themselves carefully at a public performance, and learn…

A hearing teacher for whom American Sign Language is a second language identifies nine strategies developed for reading and telling stories to deaf children. These include: ask obvious questions related to the story, portray written dialog as conversation, emphasize points by saying the same thing with different signs, and adapt the story to…

Offers hearing parents of deaf infants guidelines on communicating with their child based on changes that deaf mothers make in their signing when talking to their deaf baby. Guidelines focus on restricting language, sign repetition, dramatic expression, waiting for the child's attention, tapping to gain attention, and visual leading. (DB)

Twelve effective strategies commonly used by deaf adults when reading to deaf children are discussed. Techniques for combining American Sign Language and English exposure are presented, as are story-telling strategies for maintaining attention, using role play, using eye gaze to elicit participation, and relating stories to real world concepts.…

This article identifies speech and language goals to improve the safety of school-age deaf children. These include vocalizing or clearly communicating "no!"; communicating a general physical description of another person; communicating their own first and last name, address, and telephone number to a hearing person; and communicating about…

A "Signability Index" is presented for sign language interpretation of children's books. The index is based on such variables as reading rate, sentence length, quantity of text used to express thoughts, word imagery, and complexity and concreteness of passages. Suggested books for classroom reading are listed, categorized by six levels of…

Provides suggestions to promote English literacy to students with hearing impairments in residential environments. Strategies include model reading and writing, read to children regularly and in American Sign Language, set up a writing center, encourage book sharing, set up a home library/reading center, and encourage ownership of books. (CR)

Discusses how teachers can teach science to elementary students with deafness. Urges the need to provide scientific knowledge in an accessible language and to encourage "hands on" experiences with a variety of materials. Addresses how science can increase competency in reading and writing English. (CR)