Teaching and Learning Process
The teaching methods, techniques and strategies used to achieve the programme's target behaviours are selected according to the individual's hearing level and language development.
Direct Instruction
The core aim is to make the individual independent by gradually withdrawing prompts within the content being taught. When instruction begins, responsibility rests entirely with the teacher; as it progresses, responsibility passes step by step to the individual.
Five Stages of Instruction
- Daily review: Before the lesson, the teacher checks homework and revisits previously taught skills and prerequisites.
- Modelling: Responsibility rests entirely with the teacher. If a skill is to be taught, the teacher models how it is performed; if a concept, examples are shown; if information, it is explained.
- Guided practice: Responsibility passes gradually from teacher to individual. The individual practises with prompts withdrawn step by step under the teacher's guidance.
- Independent practice: Responsibility passes fully to the individual, who is given new exercises requiring independent use of the knowledge, skill or concept.
- Weekly and monthly review: Knowledge, skills and concepts taught are revisited at regular intervals.
During modelling and guided practice, giving feedback on the individual's responses and applying corrections where needed is important for retention.