LIBRAS COMMUNICATION: challenges encountered in the undergraduate pedagogy program

Abstract

This text was written following a course on Brazilian Sign Language (Libras), taken during the fifth semester of the Pedagogy undergraduate program at the Federal University of Southern and Southeastern Pará (UNIFESSPA). The inclusion of a new language in the curriculum facilitated the acquisition of knowledge about the discourses surrounding the inclusion of Libras, the primary laws that protect the rights of the Deaf community, and the need for this inclusion in teacher training programs in light of social changes. In this context, the aim is to share the experience of learning Libras and the challenges faced while acquiring the sign language during the undergraduate course. The purpose of this text is to highlight the importance of including Libras in undergraduate education and to describe how the inclusion of this sign language took place within the course curriculum. The results of our experiences throughout the Libras course showed that the time allotted for learning is short. To overcome the challenges faced during the learning process, it is necessary to practice and consistently seek out new knowledge. We believe that this experience sheds light on the importance of including another form of communication, such as Libras, in the undergraduate curriculum for future education professionals. However, for the inclusion of sign language to be truly effective and achieve its expected objectives, more time is needed.