Just Deaf

Why is it important that parents learn sign language too?

Gladys Tang (Chinese University of Hong Kong): multilingual education

Learning sign language

How early should you start learning a (first) language?

"It was a blessing in disguise, since we wanted to learn a new language anyway, and we enjoy it."

Why is it important to start learning sign language before your child gets a CI?

How much language input is necessary for proper acquisition of a language?

"I learn all kinds of signs from Guus."

"Guus' first sign was MOMMY!"

"The sign language classes evolve alongside your child."

"We run into all kinds of situations where we're forced to use sign language. That's quite exciting."

"At the day care they watched the Lotte & Max DVDs with the children, and that's how they learned how to sign."

"In Norway they offer sign language to babies at school."

Why is it important for children to learn sign language if they have a CI?

"I had to sign in public for the first time -- that was quite a big step."

"The best response is when people ask: could we join you for one of those sign language classes?"

Is it difficult for parents to learn sign language?

"When family counseling started, we were taking sign language classes."

Can children learn sign language at school?

Why is the first year of life so important for language acquisition?

How can you learn sign language as a parent?

"I think it's good, learning sign language from both a hearing and a deaf teacher."

"When Guus was three years old we were taught sign language at home."