Entire class learns sign language to communicate with deaf classmate

An entire class of students in Bosnia are being taught sign language so they can communicate with their deaf classmate.  

School teacher Sanela Ljumanovic wanted to help six-year-old Zejd Coralic after he became isolated at school, due to his inability to communicate with friends.

Ms Ljumanovic volunteered to teach the entire class sign language so they could all communicate together.

Just three months on, the grade one students from Osman Nakas primary school have mastered the basics of sign language

It comes after Bosnia adopted laws in 2003 that meant children with disabilities needed to be fully integrated in the classroom.

Ms Ljumanovic now hopes to introduce sign language to the curriculum because it helps children become more sensitive to those with disabilities.

“We are all happy as we are learning a new language. The goal, however, is also to teach Zejd to read lips … he is a good kid, a smart kid,” she said.