Language Instruction for Hearing-Impaired Children -Review of Kanazawa Method-

Abstract

An evaluation of the Kanazawa Method, a program developed by us to promote language acquisition in hearing-impaired children, is presented. Development of the Kanazawa Method, which combines instruction in written and sign language as early in life as the auditory-oral method, was begun a quarter of a century ago in our clinic as a language instuction method mainly for severely hearing-impaired children. Results of both earlier and recent research provide support for our approach. The approach may be summarized in the following principles: 1) Sign and written language can both be acquired in the early months of life. 2) Functional transfer between language modalities is possible, and there are many approaches and routes for this. 3) Accordingly, it is important to encourage the early use of sign and written language in order to promote communication between parents and hearing-impaired children and thus the acquisition of oral language. 4) It is necessary to adopt a program of instruction using the language modalities best adapted to the personal characteristics and developmental stage of each individual. The future of language instruction for the hearing-impaired, in view of cochlear implant techniques, detailed auditory diagnostic techniques and the establishment of a screening system for hearing-impaired infants and young children, is also discussed. © 1993, The Japan Society of Logopedics and Phoniatrics. All rights reserved.