- Education of hearing impaired children should be based on his/her IEP (Individualized Education Plan).Lessons should be carefully explained on a one-to-one basis. When teaching children with a hearing impairment, a teacher should use short, clear sentences. Give a pause between the end of one word and beginning of the next and speak slowly so students can process what is being said using lip reading and enhanced auditory tools.
- There should be good lightening in the classroom. Good lightening is essential as hearing impaired child should be able to see the expressions on the face of the teacher. Teacher should stand in front of the hearing impaired child or within close proximity and should avoid movement while teaching.
- A teacher should use pictures, images, graphs and gestures to explain things to hearing impaired children. Children with hearing impairments learn more easily by watching. Written assignments should be given after every lesson to check the progress of a child.
- Do not make a hearing impaired child to sit near a window because of glare. Create a seating arrangement close to the board where written information is presented and explained.
- If a child is wearing a hearing aid, the teacher should check it and make sure that it is working properly before commencing to teach.
- Teachers should learn ASL (American Sign Language) to teach hearing impaired students. ASL is considered to be the best language to help hearing impaired children and other students engage in meaningful peer/teacher conversation.
- Before commencing to teach, the teacher should try to draw attention of hearing impaired children by one constructive means or the other.
- Group teaching is more beneficial for children with hearing impairments. Hearing impaired children should face each other in a circle when working in a group discussion. In a group discussion a hearing impaired child can prepare his/her answer while waiting for his/her turn to speak or sign during the conversation.
It is important for a teacher to make every student a part of the class. Learning will become easy and effective if a hearing impaired child is expected and encouraged to participate in the activities of the class by a teacher using the described special instructional teaching tips.
