EFFECTS OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS' SERVICES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT UNIVERSITY OF JOS.

Authors

  • Dorathy Mathias Penobsm
  • Nenrot V Gomwalk (Ph.D)

Keywords:

Academic Performance, Impaired hearing, Interpreters Services and Students

Abstract

This study investigated interpreters’ services and academic performance of hearing impaired students in university of Jos-Nigeria. This study adopted the positivism research philosophy and the correlational research design. The population of this study consisted of Six (6) 300 Level Undergraduate students with the same level of hearing loss in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Education, University of Jos, Nigeria. Thus a census approach was adopted where four (4) males and two (2) females were used as respondents. To analyze the data, both descriptive and inferential statistics was used. While the inferential statistics of t-test and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test all the hypotheses using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 to analyze the data. It was found that there was no significant difference between the pretest and posttest mean score performance of students with hearing impairments who are affected by sign language interpreter’s excess workload and those who are not. Also, there was no significant difference between the posttest mean score performance of students with hearing impairments from Poor and Good Sign Language Background. It was concluded that sign language interpreter’s services has a significant effect on students' academic performance in university of Jos-Nigeria. While, factors such as the student's age, the type of curriculum, and the teacher's knowledge of sign language also seem to play a role in the effectiveness of sign language interpreter’s services. It was then recommended that to maximize the effectiveness of sign language interpreter’s services, stakeholders should be ensured that all educational materials are provided in an accessible format, providing training for teachers and staff on how to work with sign language interpreters, and establishing clear communication guidelines between the interpreter, the student, and the teacher. Additionally, it is important to consider the preferences of the student when choosing between on-site and video remote interpreters. With proper implementation, sign language interpreter’s services can be a valuable tool in supporting the academic success of students with hearing impairment. Also, Sign language interpreters should not take up excess workload as this can lead to burnout and a decline in the quality of their work. The authority of the University of Jos, especially Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services should set time limit for the interpreters. Coherently, Agencies, organizations and the Federal Government at large that employ sign language interpreters should set reasonable limits on the hours and assignments that interpreters are expected to undertake.

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Published

2025-01-25

How to Cite

Mathias Penobsm , D. ., & V Gomwalk (Ph.D), N. (2025). EFFECTS OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS’ SERVICES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT UNIVERSITY OF JOS. BW Academic Journal. Retrieved from https://bwjournal.org/index.php/bsjournal/article/view/2601