How To Learn to Tutor Deaf Students
There are interpreters that want to know how to learn to tutor deaf students and then there are those who believe a tutor and an interpreter should be a separate person. There is a marked difference in the way a deaf child learns and the way a hearing child learns. A deaf child must first learn who is speaking in a group, to wait their turn and other such etiquettes that an interpreter is good at helping with.
In order to help hearing impaired and deaf students with their schoolwork, an individual will need to learn a few things about deaf culture and sign language. How to learn to tutor deaf students is not as difficult as it sounds and can be a rewarding experience for the tutor.
- Sign up for sign language lessons. Like any new language, it is not something that is easily learned overnight. It is a long process and will take a lot of practice.
- Offer your tutoring services at the nearest school for the deaf. This will help you learn more about deaf culture and sign language as well as help students learn more about your area of expertise.
- Offer to help on field trips and other outings. This will help you get to know more of the children and how they interact with the hearing world. Deaf children and adults sometimes do not like to be around people who hear and only tolerate them; this may be somewhat of a barrier you will have to overcome when tutoring.
- Do not cover your mouth when you are speaking. Most hearing impaired persons read lips and if your hands are in front of your face, they will not be able to understand you because they are trying to read your lips and not watch your hands as much.
- Keep practicing your sign language everywhere you go, even if you are with a hearing person. (Use sign with your voice) This will help you to learn their language and know how it is to have people look at you when you are out and about.