EFL Matriculation Exams for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students: Polish and Israeli Experiences

Abstract

In recent decades the significance of English as a lingua franca has been systematically growing: it is no longer simply the native language of some nations but is rather the language of science, business, education, and leisure around the world. Not surprisingly, there is a great demand to learn and know this language, which is mirrored by the importance placed on English teaching in national curricula and its presence as a mandatory exam subject in secondary education. While most students can follow such education programs smoothly, the group of D/deaf and hard of hearing learners (D/HoH) meet serious challenges when learning a foreign language without auditory input and require specific support and accommodations to meet the curricula requirements. This paper presents the issue of teaching English as a foreign language to D/HoH students in the context of their matriculation exams in two countries whose educational systems share some historical roots: Poland and Israel. The method used was document analysis in the framework of the cultural contexts of two educational systems. The results show similarities for educational expectations but also differences concerning the type and scope of accommodations for D/HoH students. The analysis leads to pedagogical recommendations for improving the quality of D/HoH students’ education in these two countries.