Where Does Speech Fit In? Spoken English in a Bilingual Context by Sharon Graney
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Where Does Speech Fit In? Spoken English in a Bilingual Context by Sharon Graney Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. Where Does Speech Fit In? Spoken English in a Bilingual Context A Sharing Ideas series paper by the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, Gallaudet University ISBN 0-88095-219-9 Copyright © 1997 Table of Contents An Introduction to the Sharing Ideas Series About the Author Author's Acknowledgements Is He Still Talking? Factors Involved in Spoken English Development Amount of Residual Hearing Amplification Language Competency Family Support Intelligence Level Sign vs. Speech? Realistic Expectations Investigating the Possibilities and Setting Goals: Questions for Discussion with Parents Using Bilingual Strategies Acquiring Spoken English through Natural Interaction Learning Spoken English through Teaching and Practice Communication in the Community Conclusion References Where Does Speech Fit In? Spoken English in a Bilingual Context A Sharing Ideas series paper by the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, Gallaudet University ISBN 0-88095-219-9 Copyright © 1997 An Introduction to the Sharing Ideas Series The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center's "Sharing Ideas" series comprises working or occasional papers and videos of interest to parents and teachers of deaf and hard of hearing children, researchers, school administrators, support service personnel, and policy makers. Works in the series are often prepared for a specific 'occasion,' and include papers, presentations, or final reports that address a need in the field or contribute to the growing body of knowledge about educating deaf and hard of hearing children. The intent of the series is to act as a clearinghouse for sharing information from a number of sources. These widely disseminated papers cover a broad range of timely topics, from describing innovative teaching strategies to reviewing the literature in an area of inquiry to summarizing the results of a research study. In every case, there is a common focus: improving the quality of education for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Clerc Center welcomes feedback about the concepts presented, particularly in the case of 'working papers,' which often represent works in progress or express the views or experiences of an author. Researchers, graduate students, parents, and teachers are encouraged to send proposals for review and possible inclusion in the Sharing Ideas series. Submissions to the series are reviewed by content experts before acceptance for publication as Clerc Center products. The Clerc Center is pleased to disseminate the information and perspectives contained in its Sharing Ideas series. The activities reported in this publication were supported by federal funding. Publication of these activities shall not imply approval or acceptance by the U.S. Department of Education of the findings, conclusions, or recommendations herein. READERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COPY AND DISSEMINATE THIS PAPER! Individuals and organizations are free to copy and disseminate this paper given the following conditions: 1) the paper is disseminated in its entirety, including cover and copyright page; 2) excerpts of the paper may be disseminated if the copyright and ordering information is clearly stated on the first page of the copy or Web site page and a header or footer stating the author and title is clearly shown on each folio; 3) any monies collected will be limited to recovery of costs for reproducing; and 4) the Clerc Center is notified of your intention to disseminate the paper and the number of individuals who are likely to receive it. Where Does Speech Fit In? Spoken English in a Bilingual Context A Sharing Ideas series paper by the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, Gallaudet University ISBN 0-88095-219-9 Copyright © 1997 To receive printed copies of this document, or a complete listing of other Clerc Center publications, please contact: Publications and Information Dissemination Product Inquiries KDES PAS-6 800 Florida Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002-3695 (800) 526-9105 (V/TTY), (202) 651-5340 (V/TTY), or (202) 651-5708 (FAX) E-mail: [email protected] Or visit the online products catalog at: http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/products/index.html Copyright © 1997-2002 by Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. The Clerc Center is pleased to disseminate the information and perspectives contained in its Occasional Paper Series. The findings, conclusions, and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Gallaudet University, Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center or of Gallaudet University. Gallaudet University is an equal opportunity employer/educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, hearing status, disability, covered veteran status, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, place of business or residence, pregnancy, childbirth, or any other unlawful basis. Where Does Speech Fit In? Spoken English in a Bilingual Context A Sharing Ideas series paper by the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, Gallaudet University ISBN 0-88095-219-9 Copyright © 1997 About the Author Sharon Graney After receiving a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Delaware, Sharon Graney spent four years volunteering and substitute teaching at Sterck School, Delaware School for the Deaf. During those years she worked in a variety of capacities, including high school teacher, teacher of deaf-blind students, interpreter, and preschool teacher. These varied experiences helped her gain valuable knowledge about deaf and hard of hearing children, ASL, and deaf culture. Ms. Graney returned to school and earned her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from Gallaudet University in 1991. She completed her Clinical Fellowship at South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind. Ms. Graney currently works with deaf and hard of hearing children in the preschool and elementary departments at Delaware School for the Deaf. She has made presentations on the role of speech in an ASL/English bilingual curriculum at several college courses and conferences, including Gallaudet University's "Especially for Parents: Everything you always wanted to know about bilingual education but were afraid to ask," and at the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf. Ms. Graney believes in looking at the whole deaf or hard of hearing child, and is actively involved in several extra- curricular programs. She is currently head basketball coach of the girls basketball team and Athletic Director at Delaware School for the Deaf. Author's Acknowledgements Thanks to the many people who read drafts of this paper and gave valuable feedback regarding its contents, particularly Debbi Trapani and James Lee. I would especially like to thank Ed Bosso, Principal of the Delaware School for the Deaf, not only for taking time from his very busy schedule to provide insight on this paper, but also for continually encouraging me to grow professionally. Finally, thanks to Shawn Mahshie, whose patient help was invaluable and who constantly challenged me to rethink this topic and this paper. Where Does Speech Fit In? Spoken English in a Bilingual Context A Sharing Ideas series paper by the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, Gallaudet University ISBN 0-88095-219-9 Copyright © 1997 Is He Still Talking? J. is a 10-year-old boy with a progressive hearing loss. Prior to coming to Delaware School for the Deaf, he was educated in a public school classroom. His articulation skills were well-developed, but his English language development was delayed. It was obvious he was accustomed to working very hard-using context and guess work-to figure out what was going on around him. J. learned sign language very quickly. He is now able to use American Sign Language (ASL) in addition to English to access information and express himself. But..."Is he still talking?" This was the first question the speech- language therapist from his former placement asked me when we met recently. Her concern represents a common misconception that children exposed to American Sign Language (ASL) will not develop or will not continue to use their spoken English skills. It is my experience that the opposite is true. When a deaf or hard of hearing child develops a solid language base through natural timely acquisition of signed language, this competence-and the child's growing experience of how language works-can be used to support the task of learning the less accessible spoken language. This does not imply that all deaf and hard of hearing children can and will develop fully functional spoken English skills; however, given a strong first language combined with meaningful exposure to a second language through face-to-face interaction and emerging literacy, each child's communication skills can be maximized. This paper will discuss some of the factors that influence deaf and hard of hearing children's spoken English development. It will discuss a number of practical and philosophical issues related to maximizing deaf and hard of hearing children's communication with the majority within an educational environment that capitalizes on ASL as a fully-accessible language for classroom instruction.