The development of the sight word approach among pupils with Down syndrome

Abstract

In this action research study, a sight word approach was developed for teaching English to pupils with Down syndrome in a Special Education Integrated Programme (PPKI) in Perak, Malaysia, during the pandemic. This approach integrated contextual picture sight words, sign language prompts, enrichment activities using word wheels, and a reward system through a word bank. The research methodology harnessed qualitative data collection techniques, and the acquired data was meticulously subjected to narrative analysis. This process yielded three distinct vignettes, each representing the unique learning journey of the three pupils involved in the study. The success of this approach hinged on repeated application, adequate pause intervals, and clear, succinct teacher instructions. Abstrak Kajian tindakan ini membangunkan pendekatan kata pandang untuk kaedah pengajaran bahasa Inggeris terhadap murid sindrom Down di Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi Pembelajaran (PPKI) di Perak, Malaysia semasa pandemik. Pendekatan ini menggabungkan kata pandang kad bergambar kontekstual, kata pandang bahasa isyarat, aktiviti penguatkuasaan dengan menggunakan roda perkataan, dan sistem ganjaran melalui bank perkataan. Metodologi kajian melibatkan teknik pengumpulan data kualitatif, dan data yang diperoleh dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis naratif. Proses ini menghasilkan tiga vignet yang utama, setiap satu mewakili perjalanan pembelajaran unik bagi tiga murid yang terlibat dalam kajian. Pelaksanaan pendekatan ini bergantung pada proses pengulangan, selang waktu yang sesuai, serta arahan guru yang jelas dan ringkas.