Literacy and Deafness: The Development of Reading, Writing, and Literate Thought

The development of literacy (reading and writing skills) is important for success in school and mainstream society. Some might argue, however, that literacy skills are not necessary for the development of literate thought (the ability to think critically and reflectively). This book provides some insights into the relationship between literacy and literate thought. In the first few chapters, readers are introduced to major perspectives on literacy, the role of teaching, deafness, research on both hearing and deaf students and the development of writing on these students. It continues with an overview of the major tenets of the literary critical perspective, an overview of the theory and research and teaching literacy to ESL students. The book winds down with reform assessment and the argument that educators need to consider alternative measures of achievement. All educators, but especially those with hearing-impaired students, deaf interpreters, and speech pathologists.

However, for the person seeking straight-forward information and easy-to-understand practical suggestions, this is NOT the book!

A key researcher in his field, one does not doubt the author's expertise. Perhaps future versions will prove more user-friendly.


Literacy and deafness   December 24, 1999
 5 out of 9 found this review helpful

This book uses very difficult language. It is not easy reading. I found that the author use of language was hard to understand.