Education
One reason for children to get a cochlear implant is so that the deaf child can succeed in education. However even with a cochlear implant a deaf child will often still need support and still may not have total access to the information that is being taught. There is now research that shows that Sign Language is the natural language of deaf children and a bilingual - bicultural approach is being used to teach deaf children, which means that deaf children are taught in Sign Language with English taught as a second language. Bilingual education only works when a child has age-appropriate acquisition of the first language. There is research from Sweden showing the success of a bilingual program.
Growing up deaf in a hearing family
Parents may have their own reasons not to learn Sign Language but lack of communication between child and parents has been known to have a negative effect on the deaf child's family relationships and education. There are stories of hearing parents asking a deaf education teacher "explain to my daughter why she started bleeding last night." There is also research to show that a mismatch in language between mother and child can lead to an increased risk of mental health issues in deaf children.
If a child does not have exposure to language for their early years then often there is not an effective way of communicating within the family. Thus, someone growing up deaf in a hearing family can feel isolated with the limited communication, missing out on having in-depth conversations with family members, and feeling left out at family gatherings.
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| Deaf boy signs I love you |
Deaf identity
When a deaf child starts to learn sign and become part of the Deaf community they feel like they have found a community they belong to, and they can fully participate in social situations and not feel isolated.
Sign Language is one key way to become part of the Deaf community. Often, once a deaf person learns Sign Language they develop a Deaf identity, shifting from seeing themselves as someone with a medical hearing loss to someone who is part of a community which has it's own language, culture and history. Thus, if a child had early access to Sign Language then they would become part of this community at a earlier age, which is important as the feeling of been isolated would be minimised as they could interact with people who know what it feels like to "respond to things visually".
Conclusion
All deaf children should be encouraged to learn Sign language as it is something they can be exposed to from birth, unlike sound from a cochlear implant. This enhances language development, and if they do get a cochlear implant later in life Sign Language enhances access to education. Sign Language is key to becoming part of the Deaf community, which is an active community that provides a sense of belonging to a child who feels isolated and alone in a hearing world.
More information on what it's like to have a cochlear implant (or even two) might help explain why "A child who is born deaf can not be made hearing by having a cochlear implant" and strengthen your arguments for bilingualism. Even those who are involved -- or becoming involved -- with the Deaf community, Sign Language, Deaf culture, etc. would probably have little or no idea of the experience. People do believe cochlear implants fix or cure deafness because they think CI's actually bestow normal hearing. But I don't think you actually get that, do you? What is it that you actually get?
ReplyDeleteHey Nicola,
ReplyDeleteJust to reiterate the conversation we just had..
Since I know the background behind all of the Deaf issues you mention, I know that you're correct in your content, and obviously have a wealth of experience from your interaction with the Deaf community. But I think in terms of the assignment you need to structure it in more of a debate format and make sure that you're back up what you're stating with research and other sources. I know that what you're saying is correct and totally agree, but for the purpose of the assignment it just needs those links! It can be a bit tricky to find them, but there is stuff out there so I'm confident you'll find them.
In terms of the feedback you wanted on the focuses of each post, since your overall topic is that all deaf children should be encouraged to learn sign language, maybe think about the different types of benefits to learning it. So, for example, the first post seems to be focused around the linguistic of it, so maybe the post could be focused on the language and educational benefits of learning it. This post is focused on growing up in a hearing family, so maybe the focus could be the benefits to family relationships and social bonds. That's basically how you've covered it anyway, but just with a clearer focus to your argument.
Also, it's good that you've included a mention of cochlear implants as I think you definitely need to acknowledge what the opposing opinions are to each benefit you suggest so that you're able to argue against them. I think your argument would be strengthened if you included a little more of this opposition in each post (with links!) so that people don't think you're ignoring any information which opposes yours to make your argument seem stronger.
I know you'll probably go through a do a spelling/grammar check at the end - keep a watch out in particular for there/their and apostrophes. Give me a shout if you need a hand with the grammar!
Hi Nic
ReplyDeleteI can only reiterate what others have commented on, particularly with CI's - "...often hard work for ...", what do you mean? With our background of DCC, we have an idea, but for anyone not in the know, they need more info.
A clear Topic would help for this post, like Julia mentioned re a definite focus - perhaps something more like "Language and Developing an Identity" - just a suggestion.
And yep, check that grammar etc.
As per Julia and Jenette's comments above, Nicola. Specific (but brief as you can) is probably key, e.g., as Jenette pointed out "...often hard work for...": instead of that phrase, you could write "means hours of training everyday for the child to learn to... and the parents to..." etc. (You could possibly shorten that further -- sorry, I don't know the details.) Or you could re-phrase "...still may not have total access to the information..." as "... still may not hear all the information..." or "...may still miss parts of what teacher or his classmates...". Well done for touching on the social and familial aspects of missing out on early language acquisition. And as Julia said, if you need a hand with the grammar, etc. you know how to get hold of us.
ReplyDelete