Reading Strategies Adopted By Learners With Hearing Impairments To Enhance Comprehension In Special Primary Schools, Kisumu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to carry out an investigation on strategies adopted by learners with hearing impairments in reading for comprehension in special primary schools for the Deaf. The study was carried out as a result of to low performance by learners with hearing impairments in most of academic tasks and in National Examinations in Kenya. The objectives of the research were to; determine the methods of reading used by learners with hearing impairments in learning reading skills, identify reading approaches used by learners with hearing impairments during reading for comprehension activities, determine challenges faced by learners with hearing impairments during learning of reading skills and investigate resources used by learners with hearing impairments during reading for comprehension. The study was guided by Knowle’s theory of learning which stresses the need to motivate a learner in order for him or her to be purposeful and proactive in learning. The researcher used descriptive survey design to carry out the study. The study was conducted in two schools for learners with hearing impairments in Kisumu County. The target population of the study was the learners in class two, five and seven. The teachers were those who teach English and Kenyan sign language in the selected classes. In carrying out the study, the researcher used purposive and convenient sampling techniques. The research made use of questionnaires and observation checklists as tools for collecting data for the study. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The key findings of the study were that learners with hearing impairments use look and sign method of reading, they employ reading strategies as those of their hearing peers with much difficulties, the learners with hearing impairments face serious challenges in reading for comprehension and that the learners need special learning resources during reading for comprehension activities. The major conclusions of the study were that the learners with hearing impairments use look and sign method to read and that the method is not suitable, the learners do not have a specific reading strategy, the learners face serious challenges in reading for comprehension and that the learners need special resources to aid them in reading for comprehension.