In this Book
- Deaf Students and the Qualitative Similarity Hypothesis: Understanding Language and Literacy Development
- Book
- 2013
- Published by: Gallaudet University Press
summary
Sign language interpreters often offer the primary avenue of access for deaf and hard of hearing students in public schools. More than 80% of all deaf children today are mainstreamed, and few of their teachers sign well enough to provide them with full access. As a result, many K-12 interpreters perform multiple roles beyond interpreting. Yet, very little is known about what they actually do and what factors inform their moment-to-moment decisions. This volume presents the range of activities and responsibilities performed by educational interpreters, and illuminates what they consider when making decisions.
To learn about the roles of K–12 interpreters, author Melissa B. Smith conducted in-depth analyses at three different schools. She learned that in response to what interpreters feel that their deaf students need, many focus on three key areas: 1) visual access, 2) language and learning, and 3) social and academic participation/inclusion. To best serve their deaf students in these contexts, they perform five critical functions: they assess and respond to the needs and abilities of deaf students; they interpret with or without modification as they deem appropriate; they capitalize on available resources; they rely on interactions with teachers and students to inform their choices; and they take on additional responsibilities as the need arises.
Table of Contents
Download Full Book
- Title Page, Copyright
- pp. i-iv
- Acknowledgments
- pp. xi-xii
- 2 English Language Development
- pp. 26-53
- 3 English Language Learners
- pp. 54-78
- 4 English Literacy Development
- pp. 79-124
- 9 Conclusion: Reflections and Directions
- pp. 245-260
- About the Authors
- pp. 261-262
Additional Information
ISBN
9781563685859
Related ISBN(s)
9781563685842
MARC Record
OCLC
868223089
Pages
336
Launched on MUSE
2014-01-01
Language
English
Open Access
No