In 1976, Frances Parsons visited FSD, and persuaded Saleena and other teachers that the Total Communication system would help to increase the understanding and mastery of American Sign Language. In order to prove the effectiveness of the system, Parsons started a Total Communication class and demonstrated the "Manual Sign" method using Signed English with signs borrowed from American Sign Language to FSD teachers for one month. Meanwhile, Saleena arranged a meeting between Parsons with Dr Mahathir bin Mohammad, the Minister of Education, where Parsons explained the effectiveness of the system was comparable to learning by hearing. The Ministry of Education approved a pilot class that used only Total Communication, and FSD was chosen to experiment with this method. The class was given 5 years to test its effectiveness. However, after 3 years of probation, the Total Communication class was proved far better than the Oral communication class.