Patrick Matthews

Assistant Professor in Deaf Studies

Patrick Matthews

Research Interests

My research interests focus on applied linguistics in Irish Sign Language, the Learner of Irish Sign Language as L1 and L2, plus teaching methodology, assessment and the practicalities of an orthography system for Irish Sign Language. I am also interested in translation as I was recently involved in translating the relevant chapters from the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Report (The Ryan Report).

Selected Publications

Matthews, Patrick A. (2011) Pedagogical Challenges in Teaching Non-Manual Features to Learners of Irish Sign Language (ISL) as a Second Language. Barcelona: EDULEARN11 - International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies.
Matthews, Patrick A. (2011) Changing Second Language Learners’ Misconceptions on the Phonological Handshapes of Irish Sign Language in the Classroom. (Poster) Belfast: Queen’s University.
Matthews, Patrick A. (2010) Methodological Challenges in Teaching Roleshift to Learners of Irish Sign Language (ISL) as a Second Language. In Maria Mertzani (ed) Sign Language Teaching and Learning, Applied Sign Linguistics, Vol 1. Bristol: University of Bristol.
Matthews, Patrick A. (2010) Irish Sign Language Communication, Unit 1 & 2 Introductions and Personal Information, Unit 2 Getting Acquainted/Classroom Objects plus DVD. Dublin: Deaf Communications Ltd.
Matthews, Patrick A. and Mc Mahon, Pauline. (2010) Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, Executive Summary, St. Joseph's School for Deaf Boys, St. Mary's School for Deaf Girls, Mary Immaculate School for Deaf Children. Dublin: Deaf Communications Ltd.
Matthews, Patrick A. (2008) Development of sign writing: how it can benefit the Deaf Communities. 4th International Deaf Academics and Researchers Conference, Trinity College Dublin.
Matthews, Patrick A. (2007) Qualification and Requirements for Becoming an ISL Assessor and Factor that may lead to student failure. Dublin: Irish Sign Language Academy, Irish Deaf Society.
Matthews, Patrick A. (2005) Practical phonology: What learners need to know about handshapes in Irish Sign Language. Deaf Worlds (eds) International Journal of Deaf Studies, 21, 2.
Matthews, Patrick A. and Foley-Cave, Susan (2004) Village Life, Deaf Culture in Contemporary Ireland. In Patrick Mc Donnell (ed) Deaf Studies in Ireland: An Introduction. Douglas McLean Publishing.
Burns, Sarah, Matthews, Patrick A. and Nolan-Conroy, Evelyn (2001) Language Attitude. Ceil Luas (ed.) The Socialinguistics of Sign Languages, English. Cambridge: University Press.

Teaching/Supervision

I am Assistant Professor in Deaf Studies. In this academic year I teach Irish Sign Language, Theories of Education, Methods of Assessment, Teaching ISL for the National Curriculum and Contrast Spoken and Signed Language Structure in Broad Curriculum, Language, the Individual and Society. I am Coordinator of the Bachelor in Deaf Studies, Senior Freshman. I am a College Tutor with over 35 students in my chamber. I am a mentor for a number of third and fourth years students in the Centre for Deaf Studies.