Current Level of Urdu Reading Skills among Students with Deafness: Test-based Performance

Abstract

It is most important to look at and highlight the existing reading skills of deaf and hard of hearing students during their academics because all of their learning is based on their reading ability and comprehension of any content depends on their reading skills. However, this research was conducted to examine the current Urdu reading abilities of deaf or hard of hearing students to assess their Urdu reading abilities. The literature reviewed covers this topic and also address the current situation of education of hearing impaired students in Pakistan. Based on the literature reviewed, the researchers developed an instrument (Urdu Reading Test) to assess Urdu reading comprehension of deaf or hard of hearing students. This instrument was validated from field experts and Cronbach's alpha was noted 0.93. The sample consisted of 100 students of 3rd grade which was taken from government special education institutions for which simple random sampling technique was used. Descriptive research design of quantitative research was used to conduct this study. Data was analyzed through SPSS and parametric statistics were used to compare the results on the basis of different variables. Recommendations were made according to research findings and conclusion of this study.