2024 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 17-19, 2024 • Denver, CO
3/19/2024 | 3:00 PM - 3:25 PM | Family Language Planning: Research Informing Practice | Mineral A
Family Language Planning: Research Informing Practice
This presentation shares findings from a current study investigating multiple language use among families with deaf and hard-of-hearing (hoh) children in the northeast US, utilizing the Family Language Policy Framework (FLP). FLP delves into family language ideology, practice, and management (King & Fogle, 2014). Recent FLP research focused on bilingual and multilingual families, including those with deaf/hoh children (Crowe, 2014; Mitchiner, 2014; Kite, 2017). However, there is a shortage of research on how these families navigate multilingualism, underscoring the need for this study. This mixed-method (Greene, 2007) study is framed by Weisner's ecocultural theory (2002). Families completed surveys about their attitudes, beliefs and self-identified language skills. Interested families then participated in a subsequent one hour interview that addressed their values, language use, and goals for their family and deaf and hard of hearing children.
The presenters will share findings from the study, with the expectation that families will express positive attitudes and beliefs regarding multilingualism in ASL, English, or their home language for their children. The study also anticipates that families' perception of their language skills will influence their attitudes toward multilingualism.
This study's insights into the experiences and perspectives of these families can offer valuable guidance to other families considering bilingualism for their deaf/hoh children. Furthermore, professionals can gain insights to better support these families and understand the significance of multilingualism. Given the limited existing research on beliefs and language use in bilingual families with young deaf children, this study contributes to developing theories for effectively navigating multilingualism, thus mitigating the risks of language deprivation and delays in this population.
- Participants will learn about our current research on family language policy and planning including preliminary findings.
- Participants will actively engage in a discussion about application of the family language plan.
- Participants will analyze factors that influence families’s language beliefs, use, and management of using two or more languages with their families.
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3478265_16384ChristiBatamula.docx
Presenters/Authors
Christi Batamula
(Primary Presenter), Gallaudet University, christi.batamula@gallaudet.edu;
Christi Batamula has been working at Gallaudet University since 2005, first as an early childhood educator at Kendall Demonstration Elementary School and then as an assistant professor in the Department of Education. She has earned a Bachelor's degree from Geneva College and a Master's degree in Deaf Education from Gallaudet University. And a Ph.D. from George Mason University with a specialization in International Education and a secondary, interdisciplinary focus on Early Childhood Education and Teacher Education. Her dissertation focused on family engagement among immigrant families with young deaf children. Her area of research interest is working with culturally and linguistically diverse Deaf young children and their families. She has presented her research and knowledge at various national and international conferences. She also has published based on her research and work teaching deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their families.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Financial relationship with Gallaudet University.
Nature: This research study that is the topic for the proposed presentation was funded by a grant from Gallaudet University.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Bobbie Jo Kite
(Co-Presenter), Gallaudet University- Dept of Education, bobbie.kite@gallaudet.edu;
Originally from Pennsylvania, Bobbie Jo received her B.A. in Early Childhood Education in 2004 and her M.A. in Deaf Education in 2005 from Gallaudet University. She has taught Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten at Kendall Demonstration Elementary School for 5 years and Kindergarten-First grade at New Mexico School for the Deaf for a year. She received her Ph.D. from George Mason University, specializing in Early Childhood Education and Multilingual/Multicultural Education, in 2017. Her dissertation examined Family Language Planning in American Sign Language and English Families. Currently, Bobbie Jo directs the Bachelor’s program in Undergraduate Education at Gallaudet University. In addition, Bobbie Jo provides consulting services to ASL & English bimodal bilingual programs nationwide.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Gallaudet University.
Nature: Grant/Research Support.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Julie Mitchiner
(Co-Presenter), Gallaudet University, julie.mitchiner@gallaudet.edu;
Julie Mitchiner, a professor in the Education Department at Gallaudet University, focuses primarily on Early Childhood Education. She directs the Master's program in Deaf Education. Mitchiner taught at Kendall Demonstration Elementary School at the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center in the bilingual ASL/English Early Childhood Program for six years. She received her BA in Early Childhood Education and MA in Deaf Education with a specialization in Family Centered Early Education at Gallaudet University. She received her Ph.D. in Education at George Mason University with a specialization in Early Childhood Education and a secondary concentration in multicultural/multilingual education. Her research interests include bilingual education in ASL and English and using the Reggio Emilia approach in teaching deaf and hard of hearing children. Mitchiner has presented at many national and international conferences and made several publications related to deaf families with children who have cochlear implants and on family language planning and policy with deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Gallaudet University .
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Victorica Monroe
(Co-Presenter), Gallaudet University, Victorica.Monroe@gallaudet.edu;
Victorica Monroe is a third-year doctoral student at Gallaudet University in Critical Studies for the Deaf Learners. They are also a Presidential Pipeline Scholar recipient. They earned the Associate of Arts from Hinds Community College, Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and Recreation, and Masters of Education from Gallaudet University. Before enrolling in the doctoral program, they taught at the Mississippi School for the Deaf for several years and are currently heavily involved in the Deaf Education field for over 15 years. Victorica’s work is heavily focused on the importance of addressing and recognizing systems of power in Deaf education has consulted, trained, and presented in schools and universities and published several works ranging from a children’s book of Swishing to scholarly articles focusing on the systems of power topics.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Candace Jones
(Co-Presenter), Gallaudet University, candace.jones@gallaudet.edu;
Candace Jones is a Black Deaf woman. She has over 16 years of experience working in the Deaf, BIPOC Deaf, and Deaf with Disabilities educational communities. She has worked as an educator, motivational speaker, advocate, and change agent. Candace oversees the Heritage Sign Languages Center (HSLC) at Gallaudet University, which launched on March 17, 2022. Candace's main goal for the HSLC is to provide multicultural education and to assist others in learning about different cultures in varied environments. Environments such as schools, training sessions, conferences, workshops, family services, and community events. Her belief is that all human beings from all walks of life have an equal right to thrive as an individual.
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AAA DISCLOSURE:
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