Project teaches sign language so students can communicate with a deaf classmate at a school in Espírito Santo
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São Gabriel da Palha School teaches sign language after arrival of deaf student
The arrival of 6-year-old Valentyna Wolfgram changed the routine at a municipal school in São Gabriel da Palha , in northwestern Espírito Santo. Enrolling the hearing-impaired student revealed the need for interaction between her and the rest of the school community.
In class, Valentyna relies on the help of an interpreter to explain the material. But communication between her and her classmates needed improvement. Seeing this difficulty, a teacher decided to create an inclusion project that teaches Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) to students.
A total of 152 students participate in the classes, which include games, theater, poetry, stories, and music. The goal is to develop communication and comprehension skills beyond the content taught in the classroom.
The results came quickly. Alessandra Wolfgram, Valentina's mother, said that after the project, her daughter loved going to school and even improved her behavior outside of class.
Project teaches sign language so students can communicate with a deaf classmate at a school in São Gabriel da Palha, Espírito Santo — Photo: Reproduction/TV Gazeta
Today, she seems like a different girl. We feel embraced seeing how well she is being looked after."
— Alessandra Wolfgram, Valentina's mother
Interpreter Rubiane Roque, the project's creator, noted that the students welcomed the initiative. In the classroom, the student now socializes and interacts with her peers.
"Today, they can communicate, invite Valentyna to play, and have greater social interaction. We can see how important the project was for her and the other students," explained the teacher.
Valentyna's family discovered her deafness in the first few months of her life. At four years old, she underwent hearing implant surgery, which didn't work as expected.
She had a cochlear implant at four years old, but it needed to be done in the first few months of her life. The surgery was performed so she could have the privilege of hearing, but the doctors didn't give her any hope of speaking.
— Alessandra Wolfgram, Valentina's mother
Project teaches sign language so students can communicate with a deaf classmate at a school in São Gabriel da Palha, Espírito Santo — Photo: Reproduction/TV Gazeta
With the success of the project, the City of São Gabriel da Palha is considering taking the activities to all schools in the municipal network.
Valentyna is one of 295 deaf students enrolled in the Espírito Santo state public school system. According to the Department of Education (Sedu), although there is no specific state legislation governing the teaching of Libras in elementary school, inclusive education is a priority, ensuring services for deaf students at all levels of the state public school system.
Sedu also clarified that all enrolled deaf students have the right to specialized educational services, with Libras interpreters, instructors and trained teachers, ensuring access to communication and learning in all school units in the network.
Project teaches sign language so students can communicate with a deaf classmate at a school in São Gabriel da Palha, Espírito Santo — Photo: Reproduction/TV Gazeta
Project teaches sign language so students can communicate with a deaf classmate at a school in São Gabriel da Palha, Espírito Santo — Photo: Reproduction/TV Gazeta
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