Participating in Conferences and Seminars

The 2016 National Deaf English Teaching Symposium

Date: 27/05/2016 - 28/05/2016

On 27-28 May 2016, the director of the Centre for Sign Linguistics and Deaf Studies (CSLDS), Prof Gladys Tang, and Asia Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Program teachers, Mr Philip Thierfelder and Ms Wannapat Suranant, attended The 2016 National Deaf English Teaching Symposium (全国聋校英语课堂教学研讨会) in Dalian, China. On the first day of the symposium, they conducted three presentations:

  1. Asia Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training Program: Tertiary English for the Deaf by Prof Gladys Tang
  2. Features of L2 Written English of Deaf Students from Mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and Sri Lanka by Mr Philip Thierfelder
  3. Natural Sign Language in the EFL Classroom by Ms Wannapat Suranant

In their presentations, they described the structure of the Asia Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training program’s English curriculum and its educational outcomes; the features of the English writing of students in the APSL program; and the use of natural Hong Kong Sign Language in the English classroom. Following their presentations, conference participants had an opportunity to discuss their views and ask questions. A number of symposium participants from deaf English programs around China expressed interest in working with the CSLDS in the future.

Ms Wannapat Suranant giving her presentation on natural sign language in the EFL classroom


Prof Gladys Tang answering audience questions


Mr Philip Thierfelder interacting with audience members after the presentation




Fundraising for Sign Bilingualism and Co-enrolment in Deaf Education Programme