Sign Language Department

Illustration of children communicating in sign language.

The Sign Language Division's role is to provide appropriate education for children with auditory impairment or combined visual and auditory impairment. Most students in the Sign Language Division receive instruction in sign language or sign language support during lessons. Students in the Sign Language Division come from all city districts and other municipalities when applicable. In such cases, the municipality pays separately for the child's schooling. Students in the Sign Language Division belong to regular classes and follow their peers in both studies and social activities when possible.

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What is deaf?

In Iceland, the term "döff” or deaf refers to hearing-impaired people who use sign language.

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What is CODA?

CODA stands for Children Of Deaf Adults.

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Communicating with deaf people

Communication is a collaborative effort. Eye contact is key when communicating with deaf people. Some use Icelandic Sign Language to express themselves and understand others, but this doesn't prevent communication with those who don't sign. Use gestures and clear lip movements when speaking. Don't hesitate to use images on your phone or drawings to support your message. Writing on paper or a screen is also an option.

Education and teaching

Sign Language Department staff plan students' education based on each child's academic status and abilities, in consultation with parents, department heads and homeroom teachers. Teaching in the Sign Language Department follows the National Curriculum for primary schools as much as possible.

Illustration of children reading and writing at desks in a classroom.

Individualized learning

The Sign Language Division works towards individualized learning goals. Staff in the Sign Language Division plan teaching methods with homeroom teachers and parents.
Teaching mostly occurs in home classrooms where students receive sign language support. Some classes use interpreters, while others use a two-teacher system. Some student groups receive instruction in small groups using sign language.
 
 

Student assessment

Educational assessment in the Sign Language Division aligns with other assessments in the school. Children's academic progress and social status are closely monitored.

Sign Language Department counselor

Hildur Heimisdóttir is an Educational Consultant in the Sign Language Division. Since fall 2023, Hlíðaskóli has shared an educational consultant with the Hearing and Speech Center. Teachers receive in-school counseling on teaching methods, communication strategies, learning materials, and other aspects of sign language instruction. Other schools can seek support for teaching students with auditory impairment from Sign Language Division counselors.
 

Contact a counselor Support materials for teachers on the Hearing and Speech Center website
Illustration of a child, teacher and parent sitting together at a table.

Enrollment and graduation

The rules for enrolling and graduating students from the Hlíðaskóli Sign Language Department aim to ensure equal treatment of applications and proper administration in processing them.

Rules for enrollment and graduation from the Hlíðaskóli Sign Language Department

When was the Hlíðaskóli Sign Language Department founded?

In 1999, collaboration began between Hlíðaskóli and Vesturhlíðarskóli, focusing on academic and social integration of students from both schools. On May 13, 2002, the Reykjavík Education Council approved merging Vesturhlíðarskóli and Hlíðaskóli into one school named Hlíðaskóli, effective September 1, 2002. From that date, deaf and hard of hearing students enroll in Hlíðaskóli's Sign Language Division.