Deaf Education Originated in France

 Deaf Education in France

  Deaf education began in Paris, France. French deaf educator  Charles-Michel de l’Epee’ was fascinated with the deaf-mutes. He had two sisters who were deaf and used sign language. Since then, he devoted his time with the deaf, and tried to christianize them to save their souls.

  In the mid-18th century, l'Epee' established the first public school for the deaf. He taught them religion and French. He believed deaf people are capable of communication. After his death, the Paris Institution was established based on the academic and governmental interests.

  French educators observed the intellectual, cognitive, social, and educational issues in deaf children.  Elsewhere, there was no interest in observing the deaf-mutes. In contrast with the French educators' devotion to the deaf, German Samuel Heinicke sought a utilitarian approach to the deaf which is Oralism. Deaf students were not allowed to use sign language, if they did, they were punished severely.

  Laurent Clerc was one of the deaf student who was abused by his teacher's assistant, Abbe Margaron for not being able to speak correctly. Jean Massieu was the first deaf educator who was fond of Laurent. Massieu became Laurent's mentor.

Deaf Education in America

  In 1817;  Laurent Clerc, came to America after he met Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet who taught him English. In return, Laurent taught Gallaudet sign language, and they established the first American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut.

  Laurent was the first deaf teacher to teach deaf students with Gallaudet. Gallaudet married a deaf graduate, and had eight children. The youngest child, Edward Miner Gallaudet, decided to administer a deaf school in Washington D.C.

  In 1864, Edward accepted a charter for the world first deaf college signed by President Lincoln. The college was named after Thomas Gallaudet which became Gallaudet University.

What led Gallaudet to teach Deaf Education?

  Thomas Gallaudet discovered a young deaf  woman, Alice Cogswell. He didn't know how to communicate with her. He tried to use a method by pointing at his hat and wrote HAT in the dirt. Alice comprehended what he was saying, and this led Gallaudet to take interest in teaching deaf education.

With Laurent's help teaching Gallaudet sign language, Cogswell was the first deaf student to learn sign language in alphabet. Deaf people are able to learn how to communicate, otherwise they would still be ignorant.