Sign Language Policies, Practices and Challenges in Zimbabwe ' s Universities

Abstract

This study examines the teaching and learning of Sign Language inZimbabwe with special reference to the national language policy,current practice and challenges pertaining to its implementation. Thefocus is on establishing the medium of instruction that is being used toteach deaf students and the challenges in interactions that are faced byboth students and lecturers. The data was collected from a sample offive universities. The findings converge on lack of spelt outimplementation strategies by universities in promoting Sign Languageuse and Sign Language instruction in educational institutions in linewith the expectations of statutes espoused in the national constitution.The universities are yet to roll out Sign Language pedagogy andpromotion through access to education and respect of the basiclinguistic rights that are enjoyed by many of the citizenry in thecountry. The selected universities are a representation of both publicand private institutions which would be expected to lead by example inchampioning constitutionalism and promotion of local and marginalizedlanguages. The findings also noted the need for attitude changes by thegeneral populace if the education system has to embrace Sign Languageas both a medium of instruction and a language subject acrossuniversities, addressing the spirit of inclusive education This studyconscientizes policy makers at both micro and macro levels to walk thetalk and work out strategies for the development of Sign Language.