Postgraduate Diploma in Hearing Impairment

Mary Hare & University of Wales, Newport

Course Introduction

Teachers who wish to specialise in teaching children and young people with hearing impairment are required by regulations to obtain a specialist qualification, known as the Mandatory Qualification (MQ).

MQ status can only be awarded at the end of the course to those who hold Qualified Teacher Status (Schools).  This also includes gaining a qualification in Sign Lnguage.  This course is recognised as a specialist qualifiation for Teachers of the Deaf.

The weekedns held at Mary Hare School in Newbury are essential so that participants can access specialist equipment, facilities and a range of pupils with hearing impairment.  Although the majority of course participants aim to gain Teacher  of the Deaf status, the course may also be followed by teachers who may exit after completion of the taught modules with a Postgraduate Diploma SEN.

What you study

To gain a Postgraduate Diploma in Hearing Impairment participants must pass three taught modules:

 - Language, Learning and Understanding Literacy
 - Issues in Audiology
 - Classroom Practice and Support Issues

And also pass a fourth module:
-Understanding Learning Difficulties and Disabilities: which is taught on the campus or can be accessed via e-learning (please refer to prospectus entry Supporting Learners with Additional Learning Needs).

Participants must also successfully complete the British Sign Language stage one award or another Sign qualification and an assessed Teaching Practice component.

This is a part-time course and students normally undertake two modules in year one and two in year two.

The programme includes lectures, seminars, visits, workshops and teaching placements.

The course aims to prepare students to become specialist teachers who can work in a range of educational settings and across all ranges. Teachers of the Deaf work in homes, mainstream nurseries and schools, special schools and resourced bases within mainstream schools. They provide expert advice, support and expertise to parents and to mainstream and special school teachers who have pupils with hearing impairment in their classrooms. They also provide teaching of specialist skills such as sign language, alternative methods of communication, use of specialist hearing aids as well as ensuring that the curriculum is suitably modified to meet the needs of individual pupils.

Teachers of the Deaf also work closely with school staff, providing in-service training on the needs of individual pupils with hearing impairment to ensure that they achieve the highest possible standards.

Where Next?

Upon successful completion, most students will undertake the Educational Research Methods module and will then proceed to the MA dissertation, in order to achieve the award of MA SEN.

After completing their Masters award, some students take further qualifications in SEN at the University. If you are interested in the possibility of a higher degree by research, your tutors will be pleased to discuss the opportunities for doing so here at Newport.

Assessment

Each module is assessed by submitting a written assignment of 5,000 words, or equivalent. The Classroom Practice module is assessed via the teaching practice component where students are observed in their placement (eight weeks over 2 years) and on submission of their teaching practice file.

Participants must also complete successfully an approved Sign Language qualification and an assessed Teaching Practice component.
 

How to apply