On Tuesday, the Vietnam Immersion Team went to the Teach Speak Hear (TSH) institute. This facility is where children who have varying levels of hearing loss are given the help and support they need to have the same opportunities as others in our society. This visit was especially important to those attending the Vietnam Immersion as we could get an insight into the work done to help children, which would aid us when we visit the children with hearing impairments at the Dominican Sisters’ school in Vietnam.

When we arrived at TSH, we were greeted by Ms Diane Haynes, who welcomed us into the facility and talked to us about the help and support given to those children who attend the facility. She gave us a tour around the institute, from the place where children are first diagnosed, to the playground and classrooms.

Overall the experience was eye-opening for all of us. The insight we had into how their world worked and how the professionals interacted with the children will really help all of us connect with the children in Vietnam. I thank TSH on behalf of the Immersion students for being very welcoming, for touring us around the facility and answering our questions.

“Through this experience I learnt various ways to communicate with people who have hearing loss such as not talking slower or yelling and making sure to properly articulate your words. I also learnt that it is better to ask what you can do to help than just assume that everyone who has a hearing impediment needs the same assistance or strategies. This will come in handy to all of us when we visit Hoa Hong school.” – Jordana McGrath 

Alexander Jarvis – Year 11 Student