INTERAÇÃO EM SALA DE AULA DE LÍNGUA ESTRANGEIRA DE DEFICIENTES VISUAIS

Abstract

The study aims to inquire the interaction between teacher and learners and between learners in a Foreign Language (FL) classroom of visual handicapped learners of the Spanish Language. The data for the analysis come from the texts produced by the teacher, the learners interaction in the classroom, from the teacher s diaries and from the interviews with the learners. The results show the difficulties of the teacher in adapting to the new pedagogical situation of the learners needs. The teacher frequently uses discriminatory language, finds it difficult to solve problems because she cannot make use of the pedagogical and linguistic resources used in the classroom of students without visual deficiencies. Such resources include the blackboard, gestures, facial expressions and the linguistic deitic elements. The teacher also felt very insecure in scheduling the activities for the students because she was not familiar with the strategies used by visually handicapped learners to solve their problems. She was always concerned about their needs and she was convinced that learning would only happen through interaction. But, she soon found out that learners with visual difficulties are always willing to fill in the moments of silence and to assist the teacher in her difficulties. They have a great capacity to listen to the teacher and colleagues, because it is from hearing that they perceive reality and build their mental representation. Students use special learning strategies, taking notes in Braille, recording the class for later listening and study, careful repetition, taking the turn promptly when the problem appeared or when the teacher gave them the turn to speak. They also have a positive attitude towards learning and proposed activities and competently use tact and inference in their learning. These strategies combined with the curiosity are some of the most remarkable features of their learning. The study concludes stating that there is an urgent need to prepare teachers for learners who have special visual needs and offers suggestions for further research.