Just Deaf

Why is it important that parents learn sign language too?

Gladys Tang (Chinese University of Hong Kong): multilingual education

Learning sign language

How can you learn sign language as a parent?

Can children learn sign language at school?

Why is it important to start learning sign language before your child gets a CI?

"The best response is when people ask: could we join you for one of those sign language classes?"

Why is it important for children to learn sign language if they have a CI?

"It was a blessing in disguise, since we wanted to learn a new language anyway, and we enjoy it."

Is it difficult for parents to learn sign language?

How early should you start learning a (first) language?

"When Guus was three years old we were taught sign language at home."

"In Norway they offer sign language to babies at school."

Why is the first year of life so important for language acquisition?

"We run into all kinds of situations where we're forced to use sign language. That's quite exciting."

"At the day care they watched the Lotte & Max DVDs with the children, and that's how they learned how to sign."

"I had to sign in public for the first time -- that was quite a big step."

"I think it's good, learning sign language from both a hearing and a deaf teacher."

"I learn all kinds of signs from Guus."

How much language input is necessary for proper acquisition of a language?

"Guus' first sign was MOMMY!"

"When family counseling started, we were taking sign language classes."

"The sign language classes evolve alongside your child."