Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

Learn more

Visit our web page

Learn more

Visit our web page

#UFSDeafAwarenessMonth: Raising awareness is our shared responsibility

01 September 2021 | Story Rulanzen Martin

As in previous years, the Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies (SASL) – a pioneering force within deaf studies – will embark on a broader campaign to create much-needed awareness of the deaf.

This year’s #UFSDeafAwarenesscampaign aims to inform and contribute to an inclusive society, not only among the UFS community, but also among the public. The department, together with the Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support, provides exceptional support to the 16 deaf and hard of hearing students at the UFS.

Jani de Lange, Lecturer in Deaf Studies at the UFS, says the deaf forms part of the diverse South African community – “however, there are still many misconceptions about the deaf world. Therefore, deaf awareness plays an important role in facilitating a bridge between hearing and deaf people”.

Awareness, duty, and social responsibility collide

Many of the staff in the department considers themselves part of the deaf community. “They play a major role in educating others through our academic programmes, as well as continuous workshops and short learning programmes,” says De Lange. She continues, saying that by celebrating Deaf Awareness Month, “we are reminded of our role and responsibility towards the deaf.”

The department also has a long-standing relationship with Mimosa Mall in Bloemfontein, with conversational students displaying their final group projects in the centre of the shopping mall. Mimosa is also a partner in school-based projects, such as the Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind in Thaba Nchu. “Every year, the department, together with our student association, Signals, and all interested Sign Language students, visits Bartimea, where we host a variety of activities with the children and also help the school with small maintenance projects. In 2019 – the last time we were able to visit the school – we repainted parts of the Foundation Phase’s playground,” De Lange says.

“We hope that the public will take the time to read about deafness, Sign Language, and the deaf community to understand the exciting traditions of the culture.” The end goal is to encourage a greater understanding that ‘you do not need hearing to listen’.

Getting the community involved

To get people involved in the campaign, the department invites UFS staff to participate in a competition where they can learn how to introduce themselves in SASL. The department is also planning an informal training session for staff and students on 7 September 2021.

→ Click here for more information

The Department of SASL and Deaf Studies also presents a FREE Introduction to SASL short learning programme.

→ Click here for more information

#UFSDeafAwarenessMonth #DeafAwareness #DeafCommunity

News Archive

Empowering teachers: Working with head, heart and hand

2011-06-14

Prof. JJE Messerschimdt (left) is the main supervisor and Dr KE Khabanyane the co-supervisor of this study within our Faculty of Education.

The implementation of Curriculum 2005 brought about new demands in the teaching and learning of languages. In teaching languages, it is expected of teachers to focus on the development of the basic language skills which are embedded in the first four outcomes, namely listening, speaking and reading which is coupled with viewing and writing.

Although the learning outcomes are developed as an integrated whole, each one needs special attention. According to the NCS, the third learning outcome namely "reading and viewing", is stated as follows: "The learner will be able to read and view for information and enjoyment, and respond critically to the aesthetic, cultural and emotional value in texts".

Julia Ramabenyane researches The facilitative role of Grade 1 teachers in the development of reading skills in Sesotho. Empowering teachers: Working with head, heart and hand, a workshop for Grade 1 teachers, was held on 27 and 28 May in the Winkie Direko Building on our Main Campus. The aim of the workshop was to create an opportunity for teachers to better understand their role as facilitators in the development of reading skills.

In addition to the facilitation of Mrs Ramabenyane, Prof. Hasina Ebrahim (lecturer at the School of Social Sciences and Language Education), grade 1 teachers from Lesedi and Karabelo Primary Schools, as well as the HOD of Foundation Phase and three grade 1 learners from Karabelo Primary School in Rocklands, participated in the activities.

This workshop, together with other reflective group sessions, formed part of the emancipatory action research of Julia Ramabenyane's Foundation Phase PhD studies. This PhD study is titled The facilitative role of grade 1 teachers in development of readings skills in Sesotho.

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept