A Nationwide Survey on the Current Status of Sign Language Usage in Teaching Academic Subjects at High Schools for the Deaf

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K22182
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: :Education and related fields
• Research Institution: Yokohama National University
• Principal Investigator: Ganmaru Shinichi 横浜国立大学, 教育学部, 准教授 (10883457)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 特別支援学校（聴覚障害） / 高等部 / 手話

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of the study was to clarify the teachers’ awareness of sign language usage in teaching academic subjects at high schools for the Deaf. Firstly, the result of a questionnaire survey targeting experienced teachers showed that the advantages of sign language usage include communication with deaf students and promotion of students’ understanding of learning contents. On the other hand, it revealed the individual differences in sign language skill in both teachers and students as an issue to be considered. Secondly, in terms of using sign language, teachers have consideration for using speech and students’ hearing, and devise ways to communicate technical terms. Thirdly, teachers have opinions that sign languages is necessary for students’ understanding of learning contents and should be used in combined with writing and finger spelling.

Free Research Field

特別支援教育

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の結果、特別支援学校（聴覚障害）高等部の教科指導における手話使用の利点や課題等が明らかとなった。また、これらの手話使用の利点や課題等は教師の聴覚障害の有無や教科の特性によって異なることも示唆された。
今後、本研究で得られた知見を確認することによって、特別支援学校（聴覚障害）の教員養成や現職研修における資料としての活用も期待されると考えられる。