7. TIPS FOR CLASSROOM ADAPTATION
- Students with hearing loss need to see your face all the time to speechread and get meaning clues. Your non-verbal communication is crucial. Use your smiles to encourage, invite, and include. Optimum natural lighting is important. Try not to stand in front of lights or windows as they cause your face to go in shadow.
- Speaking naturally is the most help to your student with hearing loss. Talking very loudly or over-enunciating does not help your student, in fact it makes it harder for him/her.
- You will need to discuss the best seating arrangement in the room with the student. Consideration must be given to the best place for receiving maximum information within the normal flow of classroom activities.
- Vocabulary lists with definitions of new terms and concepts to be used during the day help the student to develop a personal dictionary of words learned.
- An outline of the class agenda--just 3 or 4 points jotted on the board really helps the student get a sense of purpose, direction, and timing for short term work which fits into the longer range planning.
- Course or grade outline of the topics and kind of work to be done may be useful.
- Provide an outline of a typical school day with the student's own timetable. Include room numbers and a list of people who can assist (e.g. counsellor, school secretary).
- If there is class discussion or group work, it is useful to summarise on the board or have the groups report their work on large paper that can be read as a group.
- Use of overheads, visuals, handouts and outlines may be helpful.
- Other students in the class may be asked to volunteer as a buddy to take notes and help you watch for the need for more clarification.
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