A longer version of this blog (with background information about the project) was posted on the Signature blog 24th April 2018:
In 2017 Deaf Gambians asked our project to train more interpreters.
But we now have something of a chicken and egg problem.
In order for us to train more interpreters, we need Deaf GSL teachers to be able to teach hearing Gambians GSL, quickly. And that requires them to understand curricula, lesson planning, assessment methods, differentiation and progression, and so on. But they don’t, yet.
The three connected reasons for this are: first that most Deaf people in The Gambia have had very poor access to education; second, as a result of that, have no or very limited literacy; and third, for both of these reasons, and due to the shortage of interpreters, Deaf Gambians haven’t been able to do adult teacher qualifications.
This knowledge and deficit gap could be addressed by Deaf or hearing teachers of English fluent in GSL. But there aren’t any, yet. Or it could be addressed by using interpreters. But there aren’t enough, yet.
So, in a nutshell, we need more interpreters for Deaf people to access the training and development they need in order for Deaf people to be able to train the interpreters they need in order to be able to access the training …
We haven’t cracked this yet, but are working with Deaf Gambians, interpreters, and with support from Gary Quinn, Deaf Sign Language lecturer from Heriot-Watt University, we hope to do so. Three new initiatives we are supporting and experimenting with in order to build Deaf teachers’ skills and confidence include:
If you'd like to support us support them, please donate or become a monthly supporter.
In 2017 Deaf Gambians asked our project to train more interpreters.
But we now have something of a chicken and egg problem.
In order for us to train more interpreters, we need Deaf GSL teachers to be able to teach hearing Gambians GSL, quickly. And that requires them to understand curricula, lesson planning, assessment methods, differentiation and progression, and so on. But they don’t, yet.
The three connected reasons for this are: first that most Deaf people in The Gambia have had very poor access to education; second, as a result of that, have no or very limited literacy; and third, for both of these reasons, and due to the shortage of interpreters, Deaf Gambians haven’t been able to do adult teacher qualifications.
This knowledge and deficit gap could be addressed by Deaf or hearing teachers of English fluent in GSL. But there aren’t any, yet. Or it could be addressed by using interpreters. But there aren’t enough, yet.
So, in a nutshell, we need more interpreters for Deaf people to access the training and development they need in order for Deaf people to be able to train the interpreters they need in order to be able to access the training …
We haven’t cracked this yet, but are working with Deaf Gambians, interpreters, and with support from Gary Quinn, Deaf Sign Language lecturer from Heriot-Watt University, we hope to do so. Three new initiatives we are supporting and experimenting with in order to build Deaf teachers’ skills and confidence include:
- English literacy development workshops for Deaf GSL teachers, led by two Deaf teachers who teach in Deaf schools.
- Deaf led GSL fluency development sessions, using recordings of Deaf people using GSL in conversation and telling stories, to improve the fluency of potential (hearing) interpreting students.
- Deaf GSL teachers meeting regularly as a group to share resources and knowledge, and develop their skills.
If you'd like to support us support them, please donate or become a monthly supporter.