Teaching English Grammar to Students Who Are Deaf
A Successful Strategy
Problem:
Teaching English to students who are deaf and hard of hearing can be very
challenging and sometimes frustrating. Professionals in the field understand that English
is a very difficult language to learn, even for those of us that receive it auditorily as our
first language. Teachers of English and Literature in schools for the deaf or
mainstreamed classrooms may be constantly searching for materials and just the right
English book that meets the unique needs of their students.
Impact:
Through the years, I have noticed that deaf students struggle with verb
usage in sentences. It seems difficult for them to remember whether to use is or are, was
or were, do or does, etc. This is understandable since they are not hearing the way the
language flows. Of course, reading is the key answer to writing English more
proficiently; however, many deaf students are frustrated readers due to poor English
comprehension. Therefore, I have developed a few grammatical hints, which are usually
not found in textbooks that seem to help my deaf students remember verb usage within
written sentences.
Solution:

Some of these helpful hints are:
If the subject is SINGULAR, then add an “s” to the present tense verb.
THINK: S for Singlular!
Example:

Incorrect:
Correct:
Rebecca love to read novels.
Rebecca loves to read novels.
Incorrect:
Correct:
Kaleob live in Hot Springs with his family.
Kaleob lives in Hot Springs with his family.
Incorrect:
Correct:
Justin run everyday for 2 hours!
Justin runs everyday for 2 hours!
If the subject is PLURAL, then do NOT add an “s” to the present tense
verb.
Example:
Incorrect:
Correct:
Sarah and Rebecca sits in front of the office.
Sarah and Rebecca sit in front of the office.
Incorrect:
Correct:
Mr. & Mrs. Northup goes out to eat often.
Mr. & Mrs. Northup go out to eat often.
Incorrect:
Correct:
Justin and Joshua plays basketball together.
Justin and Joshua play basketball together.

Remember the hint that the verbs that end in “s” are used with nouns
that are singular.
is
was does has
goes
Think S – Think Singular!!!
Example:

The boy were going to the ballgame.
The boy was going to the ballgame
Incorrect:
Correct:
The air are very still.
The air is very still.
Incorrect:
Correct:
Bill do his homework in the dormitory.
Bill does his homework in the dormitory
If you use an ACTION verb with a TO BE verb, add “ing”.
To be verbs:
Examples:

Incorrect:
Correct:
am
is
are
is walking
are eating
was
were
be
been
am talking
were drawing
have been running
was going
will be singing
Incorrect:
Correct:
Kristin is go to East Central University.
Kristin is going to East Central University.
Incorrect:
Correct:
Morris and John are work at UPS.
Morris and John are working at UPS.
If you use an ACTION verb with:
To
Can, Could
Will, Would
Do, Did, Does
Shall, Should
LEAVE THE VERB ALONE!
Examples:
Incorrect:
Correct:
My uncle loves to hunting and fishing.
My uncle loves to hunt and fish.
Incorrect:
Correct:
Can you drives me to school today?
Can you drive me to school today?

Incorrect:
Correct:
Did your mother saw the man do that?
Did your mother see the man do that?
Incorrect:
Correct:
The ASD Leopards will playing ball tonight!
The ASD Leopards will play ball tonight!
If an action verb is used with “keep” or “kept”, add and “ing” to the
verb.
Incorrect:
Correct:
She kept talk.
She kept talking.
Incorrect:
Correct:
Please keep walk to the door.
Please keep walking to the door.