Communication Experiences of Pre- lingual Deaf Students in the Special Classes

Abstract

This study attempted to explore, describe and explain the
communication experiences of pre-lingual deaf students in Adama Primary
School, Special Classes for Hearing Impaired, Qualitative study design was
used to investigate and explore the communicat;\'e interactions, from four
sampled deaf students' perspectives and their two teachers, in a natural
context. The empirical data is based mainly on interviews with the
participants. Participant observation, informal talks and foclls group
discussions were used as supplement and complement to the interview
method. The findings of this study show that the deaf students had no early
intervention due to lack of provisions and supports for their parents,
teachers and the deaf students themselves. They had no appropriate
natural early language exposure. Hence, these deaf students communicate
poorly and are seriously deprived In tnelr verbal language communication.
As a result of their poor verbal communication, their linguistic, cognitive,
emotional and social development may be deprived and they may not
obtain the same quality of life in comparison with their hearing peers.