Abstract:

The importance of ECE is evident because learning in the early years has a long-lasting impact on the future life of young children with hearing impairment (YCWHI). This paper is an attempt to highlight the status of language teaching to children with hearing impairment in their early years of education at school. The objectives of this study were to explore the methods used for teaching language to the children with hearing impairment at K.G(1&2) level and grade 1 in the schools of Punjab and to investigate the problems of teachers in teaching language skills to the children with hearing impairment at, K. G (1 & 2) and grade one. The targeted population of the study was teachers teaching at the K.G (1 & 2) and level one in the schools of children with hearing impairment at Punjab. A total number of 96 teachers were selected through a random sampling technique from the schools of the 8 divisions of Punjab. The majority of the teachers were Master in special education with 3 to 20 years of job experience. A self-made questionnaire was used as a tool in the study. Content validity was estimated through experts' opinion and reliability (.88) was estimated after piloting. SPSS was used to analyze the data. The major teaching techniques revealed from the data analysis were interactive technique, guided practice, and play method along with total communication. The rare use of hearing aids by the students, the number of students in one class, and less cooperation of parents were major problems highlighted by the teachers. Recommendations were given to the teachers of young children with hearing impairment and their concerned department.

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