When one thinks about studying music education, it is very rare that you would imagine this included the potential of teaching a hearing-impaired person. Disadvantaged; previously-disadvantaged; learning problems; mixed-ability classes and music therapy are terms that probably sprung to my mind on a few occasions while going through my practical training, but never the words 'hearing-impaired'. Little did I know that 3 years after completing my undergraduate degree, I would be given the privilege of teaching a girl with cochlear implants. Not only is this young lady, who is fast becoming a young spunky women before my eyes, hearing-impaired, but she also has mild Cerebral Palsy.
It is this same learner who introduced me to Taylor Swift, of whom I wasn't a fan before, as it was one of her songs that helped me teach my student to pitch better. I tried getting the learner to sing nursery rhymes, but this did not work. Her mom later explained to me that while a hearing person is at the age to learn nursery rhymes, this young girl was learning how to pronounce syllables, she was learning to hear. Although she will probably never be 'pitch perfect' she has worked hard and this certainly has improved. Although she is given the option of doing different aural tests in examinations that involve only rhythm and not pitch recognition.
At the beginning of last year when this learner started having lessons with me she had just started learning the clarinet. Even though she was awarded her much deserved distinction for the grade 1 ABRSM examination last year, it was a tough year for her and we decided to move her onto the saxophone at the beginning of this year. The saxophone requires less pressure in the mouth and the weight of the instrument is held by the neck rather than the hands. The finger placement also does not need to be as accurate as the clarinet, as the saxophone has closed keys. Ultimately she has had another successful year of music making.
Not only has learning about the way my student has learnt to hear improve my appreciation for the child development process, but it has also afforded me a deeper understanding of what this amazing learner has achieved in her 15 years of living. She has gained enormous respect from her peers and educators alike, as she has the most determined personality, and personality is something she has in abundance. I have her to thank for helping me to see that amongst all the challenges she has had to face, she is still a regular teenager, and she has taught me how to not treat her any differently. It's not easy to do this as an educator, but I am learning. Wanting to help carry her bags or heavy saxophone for her, but she does not want to be pitied and would most often rather struggle a bit than get her teacher to help her out. It's about inclusive education, something that I am proud to say my work place promotes. Although I feel that I am the one gaining the most life lessons out of this situation.
Lessons I've learnt:
At the beginning of last year when this learner started having lessons with me she had just started learning the clarinet. Even though she was awarded her much deserved distinction for the grade 1 ABRSM examination last year, it was a tough year for her and we decided to move her onto the saxophone at the beginning of this year. The saxophone requires less pressure in the mouth and the weight of the instrument is held by the neck rather than the hands. The finger placement also does not need to be as accurate as the clarinet, as the saxophone has closed keys. Ultimately she has had another successful year of music making.
Not only has learning about the way my student has learnt to hear improve my appreciation for the child development process, but it has also afforded me a deeper understanding of what this amazing learner has achieved in her 15 years of living. She has gained enormous respect from her peers and educators alike, as she has the most determined personality, and personality is something she has in abundance. I have her to thank for helping me to see that amongst all the challenges she has had to face, she is still a regular teenager, and she has taught me how to not treat her any differently. It's not easy to do this as an educator, but I am learning. Wanting to help carry her bags or heavy saxophone for her, but she does not want to be pitied and would most often rather struggle a bit than get her teacher to help her out. It's about inclusive education, something that I am proud to say my work place promotes. Although I feel that I am the one gaining the most life lessons out of this situation.
Lessons I've learnt:
- Be thankful for what you have and make the best of it.
- Feeling sorry for yourself is not helpful
- If you have a dream, do something about it
- Be willing to learn from everyone you meet
- Use the gifts you have
- Follow your passions
- There is always someone who is worse off than you
- There is a place for everyone on this earth
- It's your attitude that makes a huge difference to who you are
- Music really is a universal language
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| http://www.cochlear.com/sea/hearing-cochlear-implant |
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