Spoken Language Program

The Spoken Language Program caters to children with significant hearing loss who are learning to listen and speak. The program focuses on providing students with the tools and support they need to:

develop oral communication skills
improve speech intelligibility
become proficient in English.

This comprehensive approach helps students to engage in both academic and social settings in the hearing world.

The program follows the NSW Board of Studies syllabus for Key Learning Areas:

English
Mathematics
HSIE (History and Geography)
Creative Arts
PDHPE
Science and Technology.

We prioritise smaller class sizes, with a maximum of ten students per class. This approach benefits students with sensory processing needs and those needing extra support. Smaller classes allow for more individualised attention, meeting each student’s unique needs. Each classroom includes one Teacher and a Learning Support Assistant. This creates a nurturing environment that fosters academic and emotional growth.

NextSense School has a Leader of Research on staff. This is a crucial role in advancing knowledge in this area and ensuring:

better understanding of how sensory processing impacts learning
informed teaching strategies that consider diversity, enhancing inclusivity
curriculum frameworks that promote sensory integration and accessibility for all learners
better learning spaces that recognise and address sensory challenges. This happens through thoughtful design and effective intervention.

Learning

Individualised Education Plans (IEPs)

Every student receives a personalised education plan. We tailor this to each student’s specific learning needs. Teachers and support staff meet with the student’s family to develop the IEP. The plan focuses on setting goals for both academic achievement and social skills.

The learning plan evolves over time to match the student’s progress and needs.

Early Intervention and Language Acquisition

Students learn to process and comprehend sounds, speech, and language through auditory training. This builds a foundation for effective communication.

The program integrates auditory discrimination training. This helps students differentiate between sounds and understand spoken language in different contexts.

Use of Technology

Students in the Spoken Language Program have access to advanced hearing technology. This includes cochlear implants, hearing aids, and FM systems. These tools amplify sound and improve auditory input, helping students to hear more clearly in class.

Teachers combine assistive listening devices with visual cues and tactile methods. This approach reinforces learning and ensures all students receive high-quality audio information.

Collaborative Learning

A key feature of this teaching method is fostering a collaborative learning environment. Students engage in group projects, discussions, and activities. These promote teamwork, problem-solving, and respect.

This approach boosts creativity, critical thinking, and social-emotional growth. It helps students form strong bonds with their peers and teachers.

Speech and Language Therapy

Speech-language pathologists collaborate with teachers to provide specialised speech therapy sessions. These sessions aim to improve:

articulation
phonological awareness
speech fluency
voice modulation for clearer communication.

Therapy helps students build skills like:

proper breath support
clear speech sound articulation
the use of intonation and inflection in conversation.

Academic Integration

The Spoken Language Program helps students integrate into the broader academic curriculum. It ensures they gain the language skills needed to succeed in a mainstream classroom.

Students learn oral communication and literacy skills, including reading and writing in English. They also focus on vocabulary building and comprehension strategies for academic success.

As students improve their language skills, we introduce them to regular school settings. Here, they join inclusive classrooms and interact with hearing peers. We plan this transition carefully, with ongoing support to help students feel confident and included.

Teachers use various strategies like visual aids, storytelling, and repetition. These methods reinforce language concepts in both formal and informal settings.

Social and Emotional Development

Social interaction is a key component of the Spoken Language Program. Students engage in group activities, discussions, and cooperative projects. These are opportunities to practice speaking and listening with peers.

The program fosters a positive classroom environment where students can express themselves confidently. Teachers work on building self-esteem and emotional resilience. This helps students feel empowered in their communication.

Structured Auditory Training

Auditory training is at the heart of the Spoken Language Program. It uses structured listening exercises to help students improve their ability to hear and process speech in different situations. These exercises get gradually more complex to challenge students’ listening skills.

The training features activities like:

identifying sounds
understanding speech in noise
following spoken instructions without visuals.

This builds the skills students need for real-world auditory situations.

Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environment

We’ve designed our learning spaces to support visual and auditory needs. Classrooms feature visual aids, assistive technology, and interactive tools for diverse communication styles.

Co-Curricular Opportunities

Students in the Sign Bilingual Program have access to a wide range of co-curricular activities. Visual art, sports, dance and drama provide opportunities to:

develop new skills
engage with peers
express themselves creatively.

Our goal is to ensure that students have access to a well-rounded education. This stretches beyond academics to personal growth and social interaction.

Wellbeing

We understand that wellbeing is vital for a student’s growth and success. This encompasses physical, emotional, mental, and social health. Good wellbeing helps children learn, build resilience, and thrive at school.

We create an inclusive and accessible environment for students with sensory disabilities. We want them to flourish physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Our Pastoral Care policy follows the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework. This framework highlights five key elements:

leadership
inclusion
student voice
partnerships
support.

These elements help our school community build safe and positive relationships.

We also embrace the Be You Framework. This national initiative promotes mental health in children and young people. These frameworks give students a strong base for their learning and life goals.

We belong to an organisation that meets the diverse needs of staff, students, and families. Our services include:

whole school initiatives
student voice programs
anti-bullying policies
pastoral care.

We also offer support from interpreters, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech therapists, and physiotherapists. We partner with organisations like Deaf Connect to support our community.

In this program, we ensure each student feels safe and confident in school. We foster a sense of belonging and tailor support for mental and emotional wellbeing. We make sure our physical spaces are accessible to everyone. We work with families, staff, and supportive organisations to create a holistic support system. We promote independence, self-esteem, and resilience.

Our wellbeing approach recognises each student’s unique needs. We give them the tools and resources they need to succeed socially and academically. We want to create a school culture that celebrates diversity. Every student should feel seen, heard, and respected, no matter their sensory abilities.