Signalong in mainstream schools

[Sara]

Hi everyone,

I am a Speech and Language therapy student at DMU in the process of planning my dissertation. I'm interested in looking at whether signalong has an affect on mainstream childrens' language skills. However I am finding it difficult to find any mainstream schools that use signing.

If anyone knows of any schools around the Leicestershire or Lincolnshire area that use Signalong or Makaton please could you let me know?

Thanks!

Sara

[Liz Beattie]

Hi Sara,

I am afraid that I am well out of your area as I am up in Wigan Lancashire, but I have recently handed in a dissertation for an MA in SEN. I am a speech and language therapist and the dissertation was on the effect multimodality supports (including sign and symbol) has on the quality of child/adult interactions in special school classrooms.
I have also run a signalong/visual literacy course for a local Primary School.
Don't know if that is any help to you.

Liz

[Alison Saville]

Hi,
I'm based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. I work partly in mainstream nursery/reception classes teaching sign language to the whole class. Lots of the children have English as an Additional Language so the signing helps them to understand the words and communicate when they're not confident to speak. One of the schools has a child with a language delay and she uses the signs - and the other children also sign to her sometimes. The whole class learning means that when she does sign they understand her.
One of my schools signed all the songs in their Christmas play this year - some joined in with more singing because they were signing and some joined in just with the signing (but they wouldn't have joined in at all if without the signing)
I'm sure some of my schools would give you more information if that was helpful (I realise it's out of your area)
Alison

[jo]

Hi, I've only just read this post, so may be too late. I am also nowhere near you, but happy to help if I can. I teach Signalong in a mainstream school and run a Signalong club there. The headteacher has fully taken on board signing within the school following my lead. My Son - who uses Signalong - used to go there. He has now moved to a special needs school. However, I know from the comments from parents and pupils alike that using Signalong has helped a great deal.
Last year I taught the staff and children their 'wow' words which the teachers all said helped them use them more frequently in their work.
I also teach the whole school their school production song/s and we hold a special carols by candlelight concert where the whole thing is signed.
Many of the pupils who have various communication problems - from aspergers/elective mutism and some hearing impairments have benefitted a great deal.
If you want any more informationm, please feel free to contact me.
Jo

[Sarah Doherty]

Feb 6, 2010 13:23:27 GMT -5 @Liz Beattie said:

Hi Sara,

I am afraid that I am well out of your area as I am up in Wigan Lancashire, but I have recently handed in a dissertation for an MA in SEN. I am a speech and language therapist and the dissertation was on the effect multimodality supports (including sign and symbol) has on the quality of child/adult interactions in special school classrooms.
I have also run a signalong/visual literacy course for a local Primary School.
Don't know if that is any help to you.

Liz

[dolly]

I also want to find a signalong mainstream school. I have no idea where to start... That helps, thanks..
rctophobby