Student nurses’ views on learning Ghanaian sign language at the College of Community Health Nursing, Winneba

Abstract

This study explored the views of student nurses of College of Community Health Nursing students on learning Ghanaian sign language. The study was qualitative in approach and adopted the case study design. A sample of 22 students were chosen out of an accessible population of 60 second year diploma in community health students nurses’ who were currently studying sign language as a course at the time of the study. The study used interviews to illicit responses from students on their views on learning Ghanaian sign language as a course. The results revealed that student nurses’ had positive perception towards sign language. It also emerged that teaching and learning resources which aid the learning of sign language were inadequate hence students found that to be contributing to their difficulty in learning the course. Limited knowledge on deaf culture was also revealed to be a hindrance to the complete acceptance of sign language by the students. The study recommend that enough time should be allocated in the school curriculum for learning sign language. Appropriate teaching and learning resources should be provided by the school to facilitate effective teaching and learning of sign language.