WeSign: A Software System to Support Vietnamese Sign Language Education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Primary School Students

Abstract

Amid global efforts to enhance inclusive education, the gap between educational policy and the effective acquisition of sign language remains a significant challenge, particularly in developing contexts like Vietnam. This study explores the interplay between national standardization policies and the pedagogical implementation of technology for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. We introduce WeSign, an interactive software system designed to support Vietnamese Sign Language education by moving beyond traditional passive repositories. Through an AI-powered module, WeSign provides real-time feedback on fingerspelling and sign formation, fostering a self-directed learning environment. A mixed-methods approach was employed, comprising a needs assessment survey of 30 educators across three specialized institutions and a pilot evaluation involving 30 participants at a specialized school in Hanoi. Usability, measured via the System Usability Scale, yielded an overall mean score of 92.58 (“Best Imaginable”), indicating high acceptance among both teachers (94.00) and students (92.30). These results suggest that integrating AI-driven interactivity into the curriculum offers a promising framework for aligning with specific pedagogical requirements and Vietnam’s Circular on National Standards for Vietnamese Sign Language. The study demonstrates that integrating AI-driven interactivity into the curriculum effectively meets specific pedagogical requirements and aligns with Vietnam’s Circular on National Standards for Vietnamese Sign Language. Scholarly and policy implications highlight the system’s potential to bridge educational gaps by providing a standardized, scalable platform for curriculum-aligned material development, thereby supporting the long-term autonomy and social integration of learners with hearing impairments.