Özet:

Individuals with visually impaired need to teach some skills in order to lead an independent life in society. Hatlen (1996) defined the Expanded Core Curriculum that covers all these skills that individuals with visual impairment need. In addition to the curriculum followed in general education schools, this curriculum is offered by field experts for the needs of the students.The Expanded Core Curriculum consists of nine areas. One of these areas is complementary academic skills and access. Complementary academic skills include study skills, listening skills, concept teaching, direction information, embossed writing, the use of pre-recorded materials, the use of speech cards or the use of devices developed for communication. Each of these skills has an important role in the education and daily life of students with visually impaired. However, listening skill is the most frequently used skill in the life of individuals with visual impairment. Babies who cannot use their sense of vision during infancy, communicate with their parents by listening to the sounds, determine the locations of individuals and objects and collect information about the outside world. In the school period, students with visual impairment often use listening skills to follow lessons, prepare homework and prepare for exams. The aim of this paper is to introduce the Expanded Core Curriculum which is included in the education program of many countries and to discuss the importance of listening skills in life of individuals with visually impaired. For this purpose, first of all, the Expanded Core Curriculum and its sub-areas introduced one by one, the importance of listening skills in the education of individuals with visually impaired is explained and suggestions are made to practitioners and parents.

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