Sign Language in the Mainstream Curriculum

The Irish Sign language Act 2017 officially recognised Irish Sign Language (ISL) as a native and independent minority language. In November 2022 the Ministers for Education and for Special Education announced the first phase of implementation of the ISL scheme in schools, providing in-school support for students who are Deaf and whose primary means of communication is ISL. It is in this context that NCCA commissioned a research report by Sharon O’Donnell, an education desk research and knowledge management specialist, to investigate the teaching of Sign Language across six jurisdictions.

The report examines:

·       The vision underpinning the inclusion of Sign Language in the mainstream curriculum

·       The place and organisation of Sign Language in the curriculum

·       Stages of development in Sign Language learning

·       Assessment and planning for progression

·       The key enablers and pedagogy supporting Sign Language learning

The report identifies how jurisdictions identify a range of aims, priorities and principles for Sign Language learning in schools, all with a key focus on improving access to Sign Language for both Deaf and hearing learners, and on improving communication and cross-cultural understanding between Deaf and hearing communities. It captures critical information about the Frameworks that are in place to allow both Deaf and hearing students to learn Sign Language.

The information in this report will support Irish Sign Language curriculum development in Ireland. It is intended to provide an evidence base, not to put forward ‘best practice’ examples.