Neo-Oralism and the Education of the Deaf in the Soviet Union

Abstract

An overview of education of the deaf in the Soviet Union is presented with emphasis on the system known as neo-oralism. Educational services available to children at the preschool, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels are described. Changes from the traditional pure oral method to neo-oralism are outlined. Components include active participation of the child, use of fingerspelling with very young children, and the concentric speech method. Implications for education of the deaf in the United States are discussed.