Deaf students are primarily visual learners because they use their eyes as their primary learning channel. They can process some language and environmental information aurally, and this auditory channel is secondary to the visual channel. Total Communication is a philosophy utilizing whatever teaching method best suits the students' needs. LCDA will follow State of Illinois approved curriculum because fluency in reading and writing English is a strong component of the mission of LCDA educators. A commitment to hours and hours of reading books and hours and hours of writing English is critical for achieving fluency in reading and writing English.
Emphasis is on meaningful conversational English skills.
They will also learn to apply those speech skills as well as other methods for communicating with hearing people who do not sign through many real life situations such as field trips. Many Deaf children learn functional speech skills via this method while many more learn a variety of ways to communicate with hearing people. Research in bilingual education has shown that once a child has acquired a dominant native language other languages may be learned with greater ease. LCDA will provide free classes to families of LCDA students. ASL I, ASL II, ASL III, and ASL IV classes will be offered.