Communication Challenges Faced By Teachers Of English Language In Primary Schools For The Hearing Impaired In Central Kenya

ABSTRACT

This study was geared towards primary schools for learners with hearing impairment in Kenya. It sought to identify communication challenges faced by teachers of English language in selected primary schools for the hearing impaired in Central Kenya. The objectives of the study were to: Establish communication techniques used by teachers of English in schools for learners with hearing impairment; Investigate the teachers‘ competence in the communication techniques used; Seek views of the teachers towards teaching English to learners with hearing impairment; Find out availability and use of technological aids by teachers of English language in schools for learners with hearing impairment and find out communication challenges faced by teachers of English in schools for learners with hearing impairment. Out of the five primary schools for the hearing impaired; Kerugoya, Tumutumu, Murang'a, Nyandarua and Kambui in Central region, piloting was done in one of the schools; Kambui School for the Hearing Impaired while the actual study was done in four of the remaining primary schools. Purposive sampling was used in the selection of the study participants because only teachers were targeted as well as the head teachers, a group believed to be reliable. In terms of gender 54.6 were male, while in terms of qualification the highest academic qualification was a degree level with 40.9, 54.6% had a certificate as their highest professional qualification while 36.4% had a diploma. The schools lacked adequate reference material for teaching English and 46.4% of the respondents were in agreement with this. Communication methods were termed as being important in the learners‘ performance by 75% of the respondents. The study revealed that 96.4% of the respondents find it difficult to teach English to learners with hearing impairment. 64.3% indicated that the English curriculum was not relevant for learners with hearing impairment. It was found out that teachers of English in schools for learners with hearing impairment face a lot of challenges in terms of the methods of communication used. The researcher therefore recommended further investigation on the impact of Kenyan sign language on English language in the same schools. _