With high quality support, students who are deaf can learn to use spoken language to communicate with anyone they choose.
I’ve seen it happen.
It doesn’t happen easily. It takes work on the part of the student and a qualified teacher or therapist. Family support is helpful, but not crucial. If a student has the desire and a qualified professional, it can happen.
It is my hope that this page will encourage families of children who are deaf and the professionals who work with them to expect a high level of success with spoken language. And maybe the ideas suggested here will help make that happen.
WHO IS WRITING?
I have been teaching ‘listening and spoken language’ to students who are deaf for more than 20 years. I was fortunate to receive my training in the Washington University School of Medicine deaf education program and to continue learning from mentors and colleagues at Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis.
The name of this page derives from my observations of and conversations with professionals and families who unfortunately don’t feel their students can develop better speech or language after a certain age. But I’ve seen it happen in students who are 9, 10, 11 years old. And I believe it can happen with students of any age who have the desire to use spoken language and the willingness to learn.
A necessary footnote: I came into the field of deaf education through learning sign language. I encourage everyone to learn ASL, whether deaf, Deaf or hearing. It’s a beautiful language that can enrich your life and be of great benefit to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
High Expectations for Deaf Education 