RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

    • A deaf student will know where it is best for them to sit – this will often be near the front, slightly to one side of you. You should stand or sit facing your student, three to six feet away, at the same level as them.
    • Check that the student is looking before you start to speak. Try not to startle a deaf student by coming up to them from behind.
    • Face the light – don’t position yourself in front of a bright window or a distracting background.
    • If you turn to write on a board or flipchart, remember not to continue speaking – it’s impossible to lipread the back of your head!
    • Don’t obscure your mouth or eat while you’re speaking. Try to keep beards and moustaches trimmed.
    • Try to keep bright or light-reflecting jewellery to a minimum.
    • Ensure that background noise is kept to a minimum.
    • Don’t shout. It distorts your voice and lip patterns – speak clearly, with normal speech rhythms.
    • Remember that sentences and phrases are easier to lipread than single words.
    • If your student doesn’t understand something, then rephrase, rather than repeating what you said.
    • Give your student time to absorb what you’ve said.
    • Avoid exaggerated or misleading facial expressions but use gestures where they’re relevant.
    • If you change the subject, make sure your deaf student knows.
    • Check that your deaf student is following what you say.