Comprehension questions:

1. What are the main characteristics of people with visual impairments?

2. What can help people with visual impairments to adapt to social environments?

3. What is braille system?

Task 1. Match the following parts of the sentences.

1. Albinism, amblyopia, nystagmus, optic nerve atrophy, retinopathy of prematurity, strabismus, etc. are eye conditions …	a) … looking at the person who is speaking, standing up straight with head up, positioning one's body at a certain distance from a peer or teacher, and the like.
2.A tactual system for reading and writing that is used by those who are blind or who have too little vision	b) … a specially trained teacher responsible for providing braille reading and writing instruction.
3. Children with visual-impairments ask …	c) … was invented by a Frenchman who was himself blind.
4. Learners with visual impairments need …	d) … that may result in severe visual impairments
5. Blind children acquire information using their remaining senses …	e) … that’s why they acquire concepts and perceptions and sometimes reach erroneous conclusions.
6. Children with little or no vision become socially isolated that’s why they need to be taught Some social skills such as: …	f) … many questions, insist on the topic to focus on their own interests, communicate more with adults than with their peers.

Task 2. Translate into English using the vocabulary of the lesson.

Дети с нарушениями зрения познают мир в большей степени через слух и осязание. В результате этого у них формируется другое представление о мире, чем у зрячих, а чувственные образы имеют иные качество и структуру. Например, слепые дети узнают машину или соловья вовсе не по внешним качествам, а по звуку. Снижение остроты зрения не только ограничивает процесс познания окружающего мира, влияет на развитие речи, памяти, воображения.

Task 3. Use the expressions in the sentences of your own.

Specially trained teachers; lack of vision; the sensorimotor period of development; to acquire information; concrete concepts; early communication cues; a sense of independence; to initiate and maintain social contact; to hinder friendship; embossed characters; be evaluated appropriately.

Task 4. Explain the meaning of the following proverb. Use it in the situations of your own. Give the Russian equivalent.

“None is so blind as they who will not see.”

Task 5. Choose one of the problems and make up a dialogue. (Two professionals about blindness.)

1. Can blind children do well in school and what way?

2. What must parents know to be the child’s first teacher?

3. What means and strategies do teachers use to educate children with visual impairments?