English for Special Education

Abstract

E nglish for Special Education is a course book for first year students of Special Education and Rehabilitation at the University of Belgrade. The syllabus was designed with regard to the students’ needs, their former knowledge of general English, and the available learning conditions. As an ESP (English for Specific Purposes) course, it focuses on professional vocabulary relevant to all 6 different departments of Special Education and Rehabilitation at the University of Belgrade – Speech Pathology, Prevention and Treatment of Behavioral Disorders, Special Education and Rehabilitation of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Special Education and Rehabilitation of Individuals with Physical Disabilities, Special Education and Rehabilitation of Individuals with Visual Impairments, and Special Education and Rehabilitation of Individuals with Hearing Impairments. The provided texts, language structures and exercises are adapted to the B1 level of general English proficiency (as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). The course book is organized in 17 units and 8 revisions, each covering or repeating a different topic related to the studies of Special Education and Rehabilitation at the University of Belgrade. The developed syllabus fulfils the main aims of this ESP course – it repeats and practices appropriate general English structures, and familiarizes the students with key professional vocabulary they will need in further education. The authors would like to thank the Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, as well as Prof. dr Sofija Mićić, mr Nina Vlahović, and Ranko Ivančević for the much appreciated help, advice and support.