Sign languages for pupils – a pedagogical grammar resource

“Sign languages for pupils: Thinking about grammar” is a pedagogical grammar resource designed to promote language awareness among pupils learning or already using sign languages. It is available online and supports deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing pupils aged ten and above, as well as teachers and anyone interested in sign languages. It is designed for inclusive multilingual classrooms and views different ways of communication as an opportunity to develop metalinguistic awareness and multilingualism while strengthening recognition of sign languages as culturally significant minority languages. The resource covers five European sign languages: German Sign Language (DGS), Swiss-German Sign Language (DSGS), Italian Sign Language (LIS), French Sign Language (LSF), and Austrian Sign Language (ÖGS). Additionally, accompanying texts and resources are also available in English.

For pupils, the resource encourages greater awareness of how sign languages work, including grammatical rules and linguistic resources. It takes a functional approach: rather than presenting grammar as abstract rules, it begins with communicative functions, such as asking questions, and shows which linguistic means can express them. This facilitates both language learning and reflection on language. For teachers, the website offers flexible material for lesson preparation, teaching and their own professional learning. It provides accessible explanations and illustrations covering eight grammatical areas, including questions, negation and plurality. Each topic includes authentic examples, explanations of communicative functions and linguistic means, and key terminology. Teacher tutorials explain the resource’s concept, learning objectives and structure, recommend further sources and materials, and provide teaching ideas. Topics and subchapters can be used independently and in any order. Teachers can select and adapt videos, illustrations, explanations or downloadable materials to suit their curriculum and teaching methods.

The resource provides scientifically informed, accessible and adaptable material for multilingual classroom teaching and diversity reflexive teacher education, supporting linguistically accessible and culturally respectful learning environments where deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing pupils can learn together.

 

ED-TED contact: Yannick Zobel, yannick.zobel(at)ph-freiburg.de

Resource contact: bag-sign.reha(at)hu-berlin.de

Access to the resource: Link