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Jennifer Ngo

He may have been born deaf but at least Lee Chun-hey can now share the joys of storytelling.
The 14-month-old has enrolled in the first private day-care centre to offer bilingual classes in spoken and sign language.
While one teacher talks, another teacher - also hearing- impaired - provides sign language and various props.
"It's a huge load off my back," said mother Suki Wong So-ha.
She said it was hard enough dealing with the shock when she and her husband found out their child was deaf.
Watch: Baby sign language taught in Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children

"He understands some of the signs now - I would do this sign for drinking milk, and he'd understand … it's a relief that there are ways to communicate with my baby."
While Chun-hey cried and fretted in class, not used to so much attention and having just recovered from foot and mouth disease, he soon calmed down and began following the sign-language teacher.
Without any government provision, the HKSPC Air Cargo Community Bay Creche - part of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children - is the first private day care centre to offer a "baby signing class" in a collaboration with Chinese University's Sign Bilingualism and Co-enrolment in Deaf Education Programme.
The university has provided the school with teachers and training for its staff.
"We thought it would be a great addition to the learning for all the children," said supervisor Yeung Ka-fung.
She added that parents of other children found that bilingual teaching had improved their children's communication skills and ability to comprehend information. She said the centre, which provides classes for pre-kindergarten children, caters to working-class families like Chun-hey's, where both parents work.
"It's hard enough having a child in Hong Kong. Having ones with special needs is even tougher," she said. "I hope we can continue to provide this service for needy children."
CUHK has been providing training free of charge, but all other provisions the day care has shouldered itself.
Yeung said the school enrolled a second deaf student this month, but is unsure it can handle more.
"It is the most important learning time for children - especially those with disabilities. Yet it's a period of time ignored by government policies," she said. "This should change."


Nursery offers sign-language lessons for deaf children, a Hong Kong first

Lee Chun-hey (being held) attends a class. Photo: Edward Wong

News

Hong Kong

He may have been born deaf but at least Lee Chun-hey can now share the joys of storytelling. The 14-month-old has enrolled in the first private day-care centre to offer bilingual classes in spoken and sign language.
