Teaching children with hearing loss to listen and speak
Teaching children with hearing loss to listen and speak
Our Elementary School
Children with hearing loss will often develop a language delay. The small elementary classes at resonance Montréal offer children a stepping-stone allowing them the necessary time to close any language gap while still working at achieving the objectives of the Quebec Education Program (QEP). When the children are considered to be ready, they are mainstreamed into their neighbourhood school at the same age level as their hearing peers.
Ages supported
Children between 6 and 12 years old, from Grades 1 to 6
Staff involved
Teachers of the Deaf, Teachers, French, Music, Physical Education and ERC Specialists, Teacher Assistants, Behaviour Specialist, Speech-Language Pathologist, Audiologists, Social Worker
Our Elementary School
Children with hearing loss will often develop a language delay. The small elementary classes at resonance Montréal offer children a stepping-stone allowing them the necessary time to close any language gap while still working at achieving the objectives of the Quebec Education Program (QEP). When the children are considered to be ready, they are mainstreamed into their neighbourhood school at the same age level as their hearing peers.
Ages supported
Children between 6 and 12 years old, from Grades 1 to 6
Staff involved
Teachers of the Deaf, Teachers, French, Music, Physical Education and ERC Specialists, Teacher Assistants, Behaviour Specialist, Speech-Language Pathologist, Audiologists, Social Worker
Our elementary school program works towards integrating children into the mainstream education system of their neighbourhood school.
The program's five key strategies are:
1
The Quebec Education Program
Elementary classes follow the Quebec Education Program (QEP). Staff apply the progression of learning in a flexible manner, as needed, and adapting it to each child’s development. Simultaneously, the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is used to support the development of specific skills regarding hearing loss (e.g. advocacy). Finally, to optimize the development of literacy skills, special emphasis is placed on the acquisition of reading and writing.
2
An individualized education plan (IEP) for each student
An individualized education plan (IEP) is developed and implemented for each student. The goals being targeted in the IEP are mainly related to specific aspects of hearing loss and are part of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), such as:
- Development of listening skills
- Development of communication skills (speech, receptive language, expressive language)
- Self-determination with respect to specific needs (e.g., use of an FM system)
- Social/emotional development
- Audiology
- Understanding of hearing loss
- Management of hearing technological equipment (e.g. FM system)
3
Literacy centers, 3 times weekly
Following an initial reading assessment, students with similar needs are grouped together. Teaching strategies can therefore be adapted as required and students can flow through the different groups as their reading skills improve.
4
Support classroom integration in the mainstream neighborhood schools
Once a student is judged able to work at an age and skill appropriate level within the QEP curriculum, the parents are informed and, to support the transition to school, a meeting with the school team is planned. Based on the needs raised at this initial meeting, subsequent required steps are established. Once all requirements are in place, the student will continue their learning in a regular classroom with same-age hearing peers.
5
Audiology services
An audiologist is assigned to each cycle. Working in close collaboration with the teachers and the students, they ensure that access to auditory information is optimal at all times. They also provide support for the proper functioning of all assistive technology.
Do you have any questions or would like to learn more about our elementary school program? Feel free to contact us for more information.
