Aid in Action

Deaf student soars under “Fast Track”

Deaf student learns English to become a better teacher

 | Thursday, August 30, 2007

Zandrea Pitterson was born deaf. As a child she depended on friends and family to interpret written stories into sign language. They, however, did not have the skills and patience to teach her to read in English. As she entered formal school, learning became even more difficult as there is a shortage of qualified teachers who know sign language in Jamaica’s public schools.

As a result, Zandrea’s English skills were very weak. She was barely able to read stories by herself or carry out simple tasks such as writing e-mails and letters. “I was very inconsistent with my English,” said Zandrea and everyone involved in teaching me would become frustrated and give up. Zandrea failed her end-of-high school English examinations twice. She was ready to give up. She however changed her mind when she was introduced to the “Fast Track” program by one of her teachers at the Jamaica Association for the Deaf.

The Fast Track Program recognizes the challenge to excel in literacy for deaf persons because of difficulties in reading English. The program helps students to master reading through special training programs. It also prepares them for college level entrance exams. The initiative uses the USAID’s Global Development Alliance approach to bring together resources from USAID and private sector partners to maximize resources for development programs. In this case, USAID teamed up with the Global Deaf Connection, a US private sector company, and the Jamaica Association for
the Deaf.

At first, the Fast Track program was difficult for Zandrea. “The literacy specialist gave me mountains of books and expected me to read them all.  Gradually I became interested, and eventually could not stop reading”, said Zandrea. Zandrea’s skills have risen two grade levels in reading and language comprehension since she started the program in early 2006. More importantly, they have helped improve her skills in her job as a teaching assistant at a school for the deaf where she works with two hearing teachers and another deaf adult.

Prior to the Fast Track Program, when Zandrea wrote on the chalk board, students would point out her many mistakes. “I was forced to depend on hearing people to check my grammar for me. It wasn’t beneficial for the students to be learning, at my English level. I wanted to give them a higher
standard of English, and I didn’t want to depend on others to do it.” Now with her new skills in English, Zandrea feels very fulfilled as her students perform better under her tutelage. She is very passionate about teaching the deaf. “I want to see deaf children be successful, because when I was young, I could
not understand what hearing teachers tried to teach or explain…..I hate to see deaf children grow to become adults, and repeat the same cycle of failure, I would like to see a difference”.

Zandrea’s dream is to go to college and eventually become a psychologist. “I know the Fast Track program will help me succeed. In class, I feel like I can now really benefit with the skills that I have gained, and continue to grow from this program.”