Comprehension questions:

1. How many individuals fall into one or more of the categories of exceptionality and where are they from?

2. What are the categories of exceptional people?

3. What definition for exceptional children is typical of most?

4. What labels are students categorized with?

5. Why do people often reject exceptional individuals?

Task 1. Match the following parts of the sentences.

1. The most typical definition for exceptional children …	a) … an individual with mental retardation, learning disabilities, speech, impairment, etc.
2. Exceptional people include both …	b) …contact with exceptional children and adults.
3. Students with disabilities are categorized with labels such as …	c) … individuals with disabilities and gifted individuals.
4. Nearly every day, educators come into …	d) …includes children who experience difficulties in learning and children whose performance superior.
5. A significant segment of the population in the United States …	e) … exceptional people become a part of a microculture composed of individuals with similar exceptionalities.
6. Because of their unique social and personal needs and special interests, many	f) … is made up of exceptional individuals.

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

Одаренность - это высокий уровень способностей, определяющих успешность выполнения той или иной деятельности. Специалисты считают, что чем лучше развито абстрактное мышление ребенка, тем легче он приспосабливается к ситуации, вырабатывая самостоятельно такую стратегию поведения, которая скрывает проблему. В результате ни родители, ни педагоги не в состоянии сразу понять, что ребенку необходимо внимание.

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

Is made up of; have been rejected by; by ascription; by virtue of; by their own choosing; the struggle for equal rights; differ from; to meet somebody's needs; to be categorized with labels.

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

“Words cut more than swords.”

Task 5. Discuss the problems. Choose one of the problems and make up a dialogue. (A newspaper reporter and a professional.)

1. Do you think that the labelling process is social? Give your reasons.

2. Disabled persons and gifted individuals. Do you think they have the same problems in the society?

3. Do you think we’ll help the disabled if they study together with other children (in so called “mainstream”)?