Top of page
Education and Employment

South Africa launches sign language teacher’s program

conversing in sign language

South Africa’s first sign language teachers’ training program was launched on Monday, aimed at prospective sign language teachers and deaf teaching assistants.

The move could prove to be a boon for not only teachers, but also for South Africa’s more than four million people who are deaf or hard of hearing people, especially children.

“The course is aimed at deaf teaching assistants and prospective South African sign language (SASL) teachers,” said Embury Institute for Higher Education in a statement on Monday.

The program, in partnership with the Development Institute for the Deaf and Blind (DIDB), is aimed at equipping students with a Higher Certificate in pre-school education.

“Not everyone has my mom, and I think that this program is a giant step towards making formal teaching qualifications more accessible to hearing-impaired students, and in turn helping to improve the standards of teaching for deaf students throughout South Africa.

“It is also a wonderful opportunity for hearing students who want to learn how to teach using SASL,” she said.

The first batch of students are expected to begin their studies in July 2019 and complete their course in June 2021.

Read the original article.

You might also like

African School boy in class African School boy in class

Lack of funding hinders education progress in Africa

Most African governments have consistently failed to meet global and regional…

Teacher teaching children in the classroom Teacher teaching children in the classroom

New research shows need for disability inclusion in classrooms

Approximately 1 in 6 children in the United States have…

Portrait child girl with disability outside on a school playground Portrait child girl with disability outside on a school playground

UK expands support for neurodivergent children

Around 300,000 children, including those with conditions such as autism,…

Person with Down Syndrome talking with female coworker in the office. Person with Down Syndrome talking with female coworker in the office.

Inclusive TAFE to boost support for persons with disabilities

The Allan Labor Government is supporting TAFEs to improve training…