('The Silent School') was a private school for

deaf-mute Deaf-mute is a term which was used historically to identify a person who was either deaf and used sign language or both deaf and could not speak. The term continues to be used to refer to deaf people who cannot speak an oral language or have som ...

children founded in 1860 by educator Johanna (Jeanette) Berglind in Stockholm, Sweden. The name refers to the initial teaching method, which was described as the "write-sign method". From 1866 to 1910, the school was located on a property at Norrtullsgatan 51–67 in present-day Vasastan. It was then moved to

Lidingö Lidingö, also known in its definite form ''Lidingön'' and as ''Lidingölandet'', is an island in the inner Stockholm archipelago, northeast of Stockholm, Sweden. In 2010, the population of the Lidingö urban area on the island was 31,561. It is ...

where it initially provided practical and theoretical continuing education for deaf-mute girls before being converted into a vocational school in the 1930s. The school moved back to Stockholm in 1947 where it continued to teach until its closure in 1971. The Foundation continues to exist and distributes the income from the funds in the form of scholarships and grants.

History

In Stockholm

was founded in 1860 by

Jeanette Berglind Johanna "Jeanette" Apollonia Berglind (21 August 1816, in Stockholm – 14 September 1903, in Stockholm), was a Swedish sign language teacher and principal. In 1860, she founded one of the first schools for the deaf and mute in her country: '' Ty ...

, an educator who had previously worked at the Institute for the Blind and Deaf-mute at Manillaskolan. The school's home for deaf-mute children was initially housed in a cramped three-room apartment and kitchen at

Norrlandsgatan Norrlandsgatan is a street at Norrmalm, Stockholm Stockholm () is the capital and largest city of Sweden as well as the largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people live in the municipality, with 1.6 million in th ...

33, but moved in 1862 to more suitable accommodations in the Loviseberg ore yard at Stora Gråbergsgatan 25. Thanks to generous donations from patrons including King Charles XV and Queen Lovisa, the school was able to acquire artist large property at Norrtullsgatan 51–57 (then 25) on the city's rural fringes in 1866. It consisted of several buildings, including the Altona inn, renamed by

Carl Michael Bellman Carl Michael Bellman (; 4 February 1740 – 11 February 1795) was a Swedish songwriter, composer, musician, poet and entertainer. He is a central figure in the Swedish song tradition and remains a powerful influence in Swedish music, as well ...

and converted into a school building, and a large area of land. The children were received at the age of eight to ten years, and their education lasted about eight years. The home charged a fee of 150 kronor for half board and 350 for full board. In addition, there were also available spots for the less well-off. At first, only the writing and sign method (

manualism Manualism is a method of education of deaf students using sign language within the classroom. Manualism arose in the late 18th century with the advent of free public schools for the deaf in Europe. These teaching methods were brought over to the ...

) was used in teaching, as Berglind was opposed to

oralism Oralism is the education of deaf students through oral language by using lip reading, speech, and mimicking the mouth shapes and breathing patterns of speech.Through Deaf Eyes. Diane Garey, Lawrence R. Hott. DVD, PBS (Direct), 2007. Oralism ca ...

. In 1882, Berglind resigned from her role as headmistress, and

Amy Segerstedt Amy Segerstedt (12 November 1835 – 16 November 1928) was a Swedish teacher, folk teacher, and philanthropist. She was the founder of the Braille Loan Library in Stockholm, and the (Association for Braille) in Sweden. She was particularly inter ...

took over the position. From this year onwards, oralism was used in teaching. At this time the number of pupils increased to 18.

Move to Lidingö

At the end of the 19th century, the rural surroundings were regulated for Vasastan's further expansion, with the land value of the property increasing sharply. In 1905, it was sold to the City of Stockholm for a purchase price of SEK 1 million, thus securing the future existence of the institution. In 1910, the school left the old premises (which were demolished in 1912) and temporarily rented a neighbouring property at Norrtullsgatan 24. With the help of the new capital, a plot of land at Floravägen in Lidingö villastad was acquired, where a new school building was built with space for 40 pupils and staff on duty, and the institution moved there in 1912. In 1905 the teaching method was changed to practical-theoretical continuing education, while other new schools for the deaf were responsible for the primary education of the pupils. The school became a care and educational institution for deaf-mute girls. In 1918, the theoretical courses included instruction in the native tongue, Christianity, arithmetic, geography and history, health education and drawing. The practical curriculum included training in cooking and baking, sewing and weaving, in addition to laundry, cleaning and tidying. The school was free of charge, and the educational period lasted two years.

Vocational School in Stockholm for the Hearing Impaired

In 1938 the school was converted into a

vocational school A vocational school is a type of educational institution, which, depending on the country, may refer to either secondary or post-secondary education designed to provide vocational education or technical skills required to complete the task ...

. In 1947 it moved to Sköldungagatan 7 in

Lärkstaden Lärkstaden (Swedish for "Lark City") is an urban area within the city district of Östermalm in central Stockholm, Sweden. The name originates from the large block "Lärkan" which used to dominated the area before the present buildings were ...

in Stockholm, and in 1958 it changed its name to ('The Vocational School in Stockholm for the Hearing Impaired'). The school was closed in 1971.

Tysta Skolan Foundation

The Foundation (, STS), which provided the financial basis for the school, still exists today. The foundation manages the available funds and distributes the returns in the form of scholarships and grants. It is currently housed at Brahegatan 32.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tysta skolan Deafness organizations Foundations based in Sweden Educational institutions established in 1860 Educational institutions disestablished in 1971 Deaf education