Abstract
The theme of this study is the development of Japanese language materials for the Deaf. The traditional deaf education in Japan had been oral-centered, discouraging the use of the Japanese sign language (JSL). In order to solve this problem, the Meisei Gakuen School for the Deaf was established in 2008 to provide bilingual instruction of both JSL and the Japanese written language. To meet this bilingual and bicultural educational goal, a new textbook, the Harumi Book was developed to include both JSL and written Japanese instruction. This study illustrates the details of the development, specific features, curriculum use and problems encountered in the revision of the Harumi Book.
