Abstract

The general purpose of this research was to investigate the strategies utilized for vocabulary development of ten individuals (first year college students) in Graphic Art Department, School for The Handicapped, Anadolu University with hearing impairment. The reflective and cyclical data were consisted of videotape recordings of the actual lessons, audiotape recordings of the meeting of the validity committee, lesson plans, archival data, students’ artifacts and test results. During the instructions, based on the Balanced Literacy Instructional Approach (BLIA), direct and indirect vocabulary developing strategies were applied meaningfully, functionally and purposefully. The research findings indicated that the individuals with hearing impairment improved in their vocabulary and the application of combinations of direct and indirect vocabulary developing strategies repeated in various contexts is beneficial for the students’ vocabulary development. 

Key Words: Vocabulary, vocabulary developing strategies, individuals with hearing impairments, Balanced Literacy Instructional Approach.