Upper Intermediate (DHHE 0650F)

This is an English Upgrading course for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. Students at the Upper Intermediate Level will be able to use and develop the reading, writing, vocabulary and grammar skills taught at the Lower Intermediate Level. Through the study of themes, students develop language for educational goals and functional use in the community. Students will be able to read and answer comprehension questions on longer, high interest stories from Penguin Readers, short stories readers, and modified current affair articles. Students will be able to identify and analyze basic elements of a story, express personal opinions, begin making inferences about a story and be able to compare a story to others. Vocabulary will be developed through current affairs, idiom exercises, short stories and readers. Students will define basic elements of a composition (introduction, body and conclusion) and demonstrate basic unity and coherence in writing. Students will begin to define the different styles of composition (expository, factual, narrative and descriptive) and explain their purpose. Students will further develop computer skills/literacy by using email and a word program to write letters (complaints, information, ordering a product). Students will be able to use numerical information in order to complete forms, interpret and classify visual data, read simple graphs and explain. Using more formal presentation skills, students will prepare and do a timed presentation for the class on a set topic, using written (8-10 sentences) and visual material. They will also answer two audience questions based on their presentation. Students are taught using a variety of communication methods, assistive learning equipment and modified materials.