Online elementary-level English literacy programme for young deaf adults using Indian Sign Language

Abstract

This study is focussed on an online English Learning Platform (ELP), which has been created to teach elementary-level English literacy to empower and equip young Deaf adults in India with a better knowledge of English grammar. The ELP has been conceptualised as a positive environment in which Deaf learners have full access to online instruction in sign language, and therefore can learn English independently, irrespective of time and place. The study uses a qualitative case study approach, and aims to identify the experiences and attitudes of 20 Deaf participants towards learning English online and the ways in which this learning affected their use of English. The research findings are based on a careful analysis of data collected from the ELP’s activity logs, and from a questionnaire and interviews conducted with the participants. The findings suggest that participants had broadly positive experiences towards learning English online and indicate ways in which the ELP could be improved further as an effective model for online distance learning.