Deaf Friendly Teaching Checklist

Liverpool Sensory Service - Hearing Impaired

• Do you have the pupils' attention before you start talking?
• Do you speak clearly, at your normal pace and avoid shouting and whispering?
• Do you make sure that your face is clearly seen and use gesture and facial expressions to help pupils understand what you are saying?
• Do you encourage pupils to speak one at a time and raise their hand before speaking?
• Do you repeat or rephrase what you have said if a deaf pupil has not understood?
• Do you make sure activities which require listening and taking notes are kept to a minimum and provide support for pupils to ensure their access?

• Have you made sure that the classroom /area is as acoustically friendly as possible?
• Do you make sure that there is good lighting and that your face is not in shadow?
• Do you make sure that you face a pupil when talking and allow an adequate distance for lip-reading purposes?
• Do you make sure that you don't carry on talking when facing away from the pupil?
• Do you make good use of the OHP, interactive whiteboard or powerpoint so that you can use visual backup and still face the class?
• Do you make sure that when you are giving important information the deaf pupil has a good view of you?
• Do you make sure a deaf pupil is not seated near noisy equipment or next to an open window?

• Do you write key words, topic headings or questions on a board or OHP?
• Do you give context to what you are saying by using visual aids?
• Do you allow time for a deaf pupil to look at a visual clue or demonstration before you start talking again?
• Do you cue in pupils when there is going to be a new topic of conversation so that they can understand the context?
• Do you manage the contributions of pupils in class so that the deaf pupil can also play a full and equal part?
• Do you use the FM system - if one has been supplied?