VIETNAM DEAF EDUCATION PROGRAM
for teachers, families, and children with hearing loss

Check out our latest video about the foundation and our work in Vietnam:  

OVERVIEW

There are approximately 180,000 children (under age 18) identified with hearing loss in Vietnam. These children can develop language and education but to do so requires that they have access as early as possible to hearing technology and trained professionals in audiology and deaf education. With such support, these children will develop the language, cognitive, and social skills they need to join hearing peers in mainstream classrooms, assimilate in the wider community, secure jobs, lead independent lives, and have a greater chance for success in a hearing world.

OPPORTUNITY

Vietnam only recently began providing resources and training to professionals, teachers, and families who work with or have children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The framework of audiological support is in its early stages of development, and speech therapy and early intervention are still relatively new concepts. Hence, there remains a significant opportunity to help train and support the implementation of effective methods to serve children with hearing loss and their families.

OUR SOLUTION

The Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss, a 501(c)3 non-profit, is collaborating with Vietnam’s Thuan An Education Center on a multi-year deaf education program.

The teacher training component of this initiative is focused on educating teachers and families about how to help children with hearing loss between 0-6 years of age develop listening and spoken language skills. With early identification of hearing loss, access to hearing technology, and early intervention support, it is possible for children with hearing loss to learn how to listen and talk. The Vietnamese deaf education community has requested more training in this area of deaf education.

A contingent of American professionals in audiology, speech language pathology, auditory-verbal education, and early intervention lead the summer intensives at Thuan An Center. Over 90 teachers and 25 families from 35 deaf schools located in 20 provinces throughout South Vietnam travel to the center to engage in the one-month event. The schedule includes lectures and practicum by day for teachers, evening sessions for parents, and individual consultations with families to help their children acquire listening and spoken language skills. The foundation and Thuan An Center held the first training program in Summer, 2010 to great success. They are now preparing for Summer 2011's event which will include both returning and new participants.

POTENTIAL IMPACT

Since one teacher typically works with 10 children, our program will directly benefit 900 deaf and hard of hearing children. In lockstep with the quote: "Give me a fish and I will eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime. Teach me to teach others to fish and we can feed the world", teachers who attend the workshop will share their learning with others, making the benefits exponential.

MEDIA COVERAGE

Please click on the links below to read news coverage about this project:

Lions Club District Newspaper (pdf)

Northwest Asian Weekly

Voice of America (Vietnamese)

Tri Delta Sorority Alumni Newsletter Fall 2009 (pdf)