Abstract
Certain categories of hearing impaired persons - the congenital cases in bilingual states such as Nigeria where a foreign language is the dominant communication code, do not communicate in their Mother Tongue (MT). The only option they have (particularly in Nigeria) is the American Sign Language. And yet they live and interact in a rural community. But there is the need for social and cultural integration if they are to function effectively as true citizens of their respective societies. The problem however is that they have not been taught their MT's for obvious reasons. This paper discuss a possible option or strategy for teaching the Hearing Impaired in Nigeria their MTs. The strategy is tagged "the Micro Picto Functional Communicative device". It can be used both as a teaching device and as a communication option. When developed, it is a set of micro-computer printed pictorial cards arranged in spheres of activity such as play, home, school, farm etc. and bearing picture designs of activities, objects and situations. Underneath each picture is the linguistic representation of the activity, object or situation In any of the three major Nigerian Languages.
The cards are graded. First words, phrases then sentences. Each word, phrase or sentence has a picture illustration above it. While serving as a teaching device, it is equally useful for the individual as an interpersonal communication device. Instruction in its use starts at the Nursery and Primary Schools and grows in complexity in-cooperating the analytical methods in language teaching for the H.I. when fully developed, the device can be applicable in other 2nd language learning situations other than Nigeria.
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