Profound deafness has not deterred University of Queensland arts/law student Marissa Ker from studying a double major in Japanese, for which she received a grade point average of six last semester.
Students with hearing disabilities rarely studied foreign languages at the University, according to the UQ Student Support Services (SSS) disability program adviser Laura Duggan.
In August, Marissa received a special encouragement award for competing in a Japanese language speaking contest organised by the Japanese Consulate and Modern Language Teachers Association.
In July last year, she was one of 15 University of Queensland and Griffith University students chosen to participate in the Youth Cultural Festival organised by the city of Kawaguchi in Japan.
Marissa said she had been able to study Japanese with the help of her lecturers, fellow students and SSS disability program officers.
'For instance, Dr Yuriko Nagata (of the Asian Language Studies Department) reorganises the seating in class into a U shape so I can lip-read and see other students' faces,' she said.
'I don't just lip-read, I speech-read which involves comprehending facial expressions, gestures and context. However, I find it difficult to lip-read some advanced conversations in Japanese even if I can read and understand the words.'
Before Marissa commences a subject, she discusses her special requirements with the relevant lecturer. Marisssa and an SSS disability adviser then organise a fellow student in the subject to take notes for her.
The lecturer wears a Phonic Ear FM microphone to which Marissa's hearing aids are connected, to eliminate background noise and echoes.
Recently, Peter Garrett agreed to wear the microphone so Marissa could hear him deliver the annual Duhig Memorial Lecture at the University.
Sometimes lecturers and tutors provide written material, and Marissa ensures she always sits in the front of a lecture room.
For listening comprehension, the lecturer sometimes provides a transcript, and for listening comprehension exams, the lecturer will say the dialogue, instead of Marissa listening to a taped reading or conversation.
Marissa studied Japanese for five years at high school.
'When I discussed the possibility of studying Japanese at the University, they were open and willing to let me try,' she said.
'I love talking in Japanese and as my communication skills have improved I also enjoy thinking in Japanese.
'The same goes for my speech and drama and public speaking interests.'
Marissa is a member of the University's Toastmasters Club and was a Grace College debating team member when she lived there.
She studied speech and drama before she became deaf, aged 11, after falling off an armchair and hitting her head.
After the accident, she continued to learn speech and drama which she says boosted her confidence and speaking skills.
She also visits the University's Speech Therapy Clinic once a week for treatment from students, supervised by speech pathologists and audiologists.
For more information, contact Dr Nagata (telephone 07 3365 6390 ) or Ms Ker (telephone 07 3371849). Due to telephone communication difficulties for Ms Ker, it is advisable to contact Dr Nagata who can to organise a face-to-face interview with Ms Ker.
