Peer-to-Peer Deaf Multiliteracies: Toward a Sustainable Approach to Education in Ghana

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Collaborative Partnerships for Multiliteracies Engagement

Abstract

In Ghana the stigmatization of young deaf adults and children often leads to them being denied access to high quality education in their L1, Ghanaian Sign Language. Our project works with groups of adults and young children (4-8) located close to a major city. Our overall ethos is a commitment to a Real Literacies approach whereby deaf peer tutors, supported by a deaf research assistant and co-investigators, work to create a bottom-up curriculum grounded in learners’ own interests. In this paper we illustrate our approaches to multiliteracies. We present evidence of learning gains and discuss our productive meetings with stakeholders and policy makers in Ghana and the UK.

Authors

• Julia Gillen, Lancaster University

• Marco Nyarko, University of Ghana

• Esther Akrasi-Sarpong, University of Ghana

• Kwadwo Toah Addo, University of Ghana

• George Akanlig-Pare, University of Ghana