Teachers’ Perspectives on English Learning Difficulties encountered by Students with Hearing Impairments
Teachers’ Perspectives on English Learning Difficulties encountered by Students with Hearing Impairments
| Abdussalam Salim Masoud Al-Bosaifi z5973481@gmail.com |
Abstract
This study aimed to identify the main difficulties facing deaf and hard-of-hearing students in learning English, utilizing a sample of 100 teachers working with this category of students. The study employed a descriptive analytical approach to achieve its objectives, with a questionnaire as primary tool for data collection. Various statistical methods were utilized, including arithmetic mean, standard deviation, relative weight, Pearson correlation coefficient, Cronbach’s alpha reliability, split-half reliability, and t-test.
The results revealed significant challenges encountered by students within educational institutions as far as learning English is concerned. The category of “curriculum-related difficulties” ranked first in terms of agreement, followed by “teacher-related difficulties” in second place, while “educational environment” came third, and finally, “difficulties related to the student themselves” ranked fourth and last. The results also indicated no statistically significant differences in the responses of the study sample attributed to the variables of gender and type of educational institution.
The study recommended continuous training for the teachers of English to align with the challenges encountered by deaf and hard-of-hearing students in learning the language. It emphasized the need for raising awareness among students, parents, and community members about the importance of the English language and the significance of learning it. Furthermore, the study suggested developing educational curricula that accommodate the abilities of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, improving the educational environment for these students, teaching English at an early age without hindering the development of the learners’ mother tongue, and enhancing the teaching methods used for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Key words: Learning Difficulties, Deaf, Hard of Hearing, English Language.
