DEAF CLASS _ 2-24-2025

Introduction to Deaf Education

• Focus on depth education and various educational options for deaf individuals

The Oralism Movement

• Established in the 1880s during the Milan Conference

  • Key discussion on the methods of educating deaf children: sign language vs. oralism

  • Consensus reached to adopt the oralism method, sidelining sign language in education

• Significant impact on both European and American schools

  • Shift in focus: children educated primarily via oralism, emphasizing speaking and lip-reading skills

• Decline of deaf educators

  • Increase of hearing educators in deaf schools as they adopted the oralism method

  • Deaf teachers had difficulty teaching using oralism; many lost their positions

Focus on Oralism

• Objective: hone hearing abilities and learn to speak

• Various approaches employed in teaching

  • Rhythm classes: Utilizing sounds or beats to help students recognize speech patterns

    • Inclusion of instruments like pianos for students to feel vibrations of words

  • Physical feedback techniques: Teachers guiding students to place hands on their face to feel sound production during speech

    • Example: Annie Sullivan's methods in teaching Helen Keller

      • Tactile methods allowed Keller, who was deaf and blind, to understand speech through physical sensations

      • Emphasis on persistent practice and overcoming struggles in communication

Vocabulary and Historical Terminology

• The term "deaf and dumb" was prevalent but considered offensive now

  • "Dumb" referred to the inability to speak, leading to negative connotations

• Consequences of focusing on oralism

  • Students labeled as oral failures if they did not succeed in oral communication

  • Delay in language development and cognitive/social skills

  • Increased sense of isolation among deaf students

    • Lack of connection with peers and families due to the emphasis on oral communication

Reflection of Deaf Adults on Education

• Deaf adults express frustration about their educational experiences under oralism

  • Lack of family relationships and communication hindered by the oralism focus

  • Desire for families to learn sign language to facilitate deeper connections

Total Communication Approach (1963)

• Established during the International Congress in Deaf Education at Gallaudet University

  • Response to dissatisfaction with oralism methods

• Acknowledgment of the necessity for improved educational approaches for deaf students

  • Advocacy led by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) to promote sign language integration

    • Data showed that focusing solely on oralism led to inadequate support for deaf students

Total Communication Breakdown

• The approach incorporates various methods for communication

  • Options: American Sign Language (ASL), oralism, and sign systems based on individual student needs

• Aim: Enhance communication and education options rather than limiting to oralism

  • Students can choose methods suitable for their language development, with options fostering literacy skills

Research Insights on Deaf Education

• Studies from the 1980s and 1990s indicate better academic performance among deaf children of deaf parents

  • Strong language foundation from deaf parents enhances learning capabilities

• Importance of language acquisition: providing a solid foundation is critical for effective learning

  • Analogy of language foundation to constructing a house: a strong base is essential for stability

Conclusion

• Final remarks and invitation for questions about the session's content.