Influence of instructional methods on performance in language activities among ECCDE children with hearing impairmentthe case of Kaaga and Kamatungu

Abstract

This research project sought to assess the various methods of teaching employed by teachers of ECCDE hearing impaired children, The study aimed at analyzing the language performance by looking at the academic and professional qualification as well as observing the methods of teaching used in the classes. Learners' characteristics were also considered in order to get a picture of any underlying factors that could in any way have affected performance in language activities.

The main objective of the study was to identify and document the achievements of particular teaching methods and/or the challenges that could be impacting negatively on (ECCDE) pupils with hearing impairment. This was aimed at making recommendations for improving language performance and more so academic performance of learners with hearing impairment.

The study used a qualitative study research design and the research instruments used were questionnaires, observation checklist and documentary analysis. Data analysis was done and a report presented. The study findings revealed that a lot needs to be done if at all the academic performance of the ECCDE children with hearing impairment is to be improved. Training of teachers of the deaf in ECE course was found to be very necessary as well as putting in place early identification, screening! assessment and academic intervention of these children. Results also demonstrated that the most recent methods of teaching the hearing impaired children have not been adopted by the teachers.

Following these findings the study recommends that more attention be focused on this section of ECCDE in order to improve the academic performance of the hearing impaired. Teachers handling ECCDE children with hearing impairment need to be highly trained and qualified in both ECE and SNE. In addition to that, there should be workshops and insets to update them on the emerging methods of teaching. Children should also be provided with assistive devices quite early to enable them acquire language with ease.