Dostizanje kvalieta u nastavi znakovnih jezika

Through the implementation of the project, the aim of GOGB and HDPZJ was to enhance the educational offerings of SZJ and HZJ by crafting tailored curricula for novices alongside a high-quality tex...

Through the implementation of the project, the aim of GOGB and HDPZJ was to enhance the educational offerings of SZJ and HZJ by crafting tailored curricula for novices alongside a high-quality textbook. An additional focus was to integrate individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing into the teaching framework. Since 2022, GOGB has spearheaded nationally accredited programs dedicated to organizing SZJ courses ranging from A1 to B2 levels according to the CEFR standards. These courses are structured within Module 1, followed by Module 2, which caters to students aspiring to become proficient Serbian Sign Language interpreters. However, the endeavor to develop instructional materials for SZJ and HZJ encountered substantial challenges due to the scarcity of research and documentation surrounding these languages. Instead of drawing from a wealth of documented linguistic examples, the authors found themselves relying on the expertise of a select few sign language linguists and a cohort of fluent SZJ and HZJ deaf signers. This necessitated a meticulous process of selecting topics and grammar units for the textbook, with frequent revisions and verification stages.

All the activities outlined in the project proposal were successfully executed. These activities include: 1. Formation of the project team at the project's commencement, followed by the inaugural meeting of the team. 2. Dissemination of information to the deaf communities in Serbia and Croatia regarding the project's significance and objectives, primarily through social media channels. 3. Development of a curriculum tailored for beginners to learn Serbian Sign Language (SZJ) and Croatian Sign Language (HZJ). 4. Convening the second project team meeting to deliberate on potential reviewers, designers, editors, proofreaders, and printing houses. 5. Holding the third project team meeting in Zagreb, during which decisions were made regarding authors, reviewers, designers, editors, proofreaders, and printing houses. 6. Creation of the beginner-level textbook for learning SZJ and HZJ. 7. Printing and distribution of the textbook. 8. Promotion of the textbook through a dedicated conference. 9. Training sessions conducted for prospective deaf educators.

The project has yielded the following concrete outputs: 1. A tailored curriculum designed for beginners to learn Serbian Sign Language (SZJ) and Croatian Sign Language (HZJ); 2. Beginner-level textbooks for learning SZJ and HZJ: a. Raičević Bajić, Dragana, Vera Jovanović, & Mihailo Gordić. 2024. Srpski znakovni jezik: Početni nivo. Beograd: Gradska Organizacija Gluvih Beograda. ISBN: 978-86-901655-5-1; b. Kavčić, Dorijana, & Angel Naumovski. 2024. Udžbenik hrvatskoga znakovnog jezika. Zagreb: Hrvatsko Društvo Prevoditelja Znakovnog Jezika. ISBN: 978-953-50943-0-2; 3. Workshops for prospective deaf educators/teachers of SZJ and HZJ held at the Belgrade Deaf Organization in Belgrade from January 28, 2024, to 1st February 2024, and at Gradske knjižnice - Knjižnice grada Zagreba, Odjel za djecu i mladež, multimedijalna dvorana, Trg Ante Starčevića 4in Zagrebfrom 23rd January to 27th January 2024.; 4. The conference "Dostizanje Kvaliteta u Nastavi Znakovnih Jezika" (Achieving Quality in Sign Language Teaching) held on January 31 in Belgrade, with representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran, and Social Policy, as well as teachers from the School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children "Stefan Dečanski."