P716 CEEFAX 716 Mon 11 Nov 22:44/27 READHEAR COMMENT 1/6 BY MAIRJ LEVITT AND GRAHAM H TURNER, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE "Read Hear has been dominated recently bz discussion of cochlear implants. "But anothjt medical issue is on the horizon — genetics. "It is quite likely that genetic research will have a much bigger effect on the Deaf community than cochlear implants." cont... Community Pages 720 Environment 730 Religious World 740 Usjt Guide 198 Next Page Read Hear Religion Envir'nmtP716 CEEFAX 716 Mon 11 Nov 22:29/57 READHEAR FEATURE: DEAF TUTORS bz Paul Rjdfirn 2/6 "Now thjte are many Deaf tutors (but still not enough) and the picture is undoubtedly brighter than it was ten years ago. "But there is still a long way to go — there is still not enough training for existing tutors who want to improve their skills (and most do!) and still very few resources. "One such shortage is the need to develop teaching curricula for Stages II and III. CACDP issues such curricula but there is no pre-packaged course for Deaf tutors to use." cont... Community Pages 720 Environment 730 Religious World 740 Usjt Guide 198 Next Page Read Hear Religion Envir'nmtP716 CEEFAX 716 Mon 11 Nov 21:38/15 READHEAR FEATURE: DEAF TUTORS bz Paul Rjdfern 3/6 "Good tutors will naturally develop their own course outlines and lesson plans, but it helps if thjte is a variety of material to use. "Just look at all the 'How To' foreign language books. Skilled tutors will use such books to help their courses. "But white are the resources for BSL? "Very little material and even fewer course outlines mean that many Deaf tutors are being stretched, and that is where they need extra support and time to improve their skills." cont... Community Pages 720 Environment 730 Religious World 740 Usjt Guide 198 Next Page Read Hear Religion Envir'nmtP716 CEEFAX 716 Mon 11 Nov 21:52/43 READHEAR FEATURE: DEAF TUTORS bz Paul Rjdfern 4/6 "Some tutors obviously don't care (we still get tutors who moan that the CACDP guidelines are too demanding), but thjte are many who do. "But what can they do? White can they go? "It is very difficult to develop materials on one's own and to find fresh ideas for teaching. "Also, many people find it hard to write a course outline from scratch — most foreign language tutors actually don't do this but amend existing outlines." cont... Religious World 740 Usjt Guide 198 Next Page Read Hear Religion Envir'nmtP716 CEEFAX 716 Mon 11 Nov 22:01/35 READHEAR FEATURE: DEAF TUTORS bz Paul Rjdfirn 5/6 "Training is of prime importance, enabling Deaf tutors to try out ideas and discuss them in an atmosphere of learning. "Unfortunately, training is thin on the ground. Thjte are few courses and even fewer workshops (see page 713). "And not all training is suitable; some tutors cannot go on full-time courses, others cannot take week-long breaks or attend one-day workshops. "And some training will not meet the needs of individuals." cont... Community Pages 720 Environment 730 Religious World 740 User Guide 198 Next Page Read Hear Religion Envir'nmtP716 CEEFAX 716 Mon 11 Nov 22:11/59 READHEAR FEATURE: DEAF TUTORS bz Paul Rjdfern 6/6 "So we need a variety of training — the more the bjttit. "That way we will see more and better Deaf tutors of BSL. "Also, these training courses and workshops that have a good reputation will survive and prospjt. "No one would want to go into a shop and bj sjtved by untrained staff. "We owe it to our 'customers' (hearing people learning to sign) to be as highly qualified as possible through taking courses and refresher workshops. Religious World 740 Usjt Guide 198 Next Page Read Hear Religion Envir'nmt