Abstract
This article deals with the problem of reading comprehension in students with hearing impairments. This topic is still relevant in the Czech Republic. Up until now, very few research studies have been conducted.
The aim of this paper is to determine whether pupils in grades 6 to 9 (the secondary level of primary school in the Czech school system) in schools for the hearing impaired can read Czech texts with reading comprehension at level A2 of the Common European Framework. The topic primarily concerns Czech deaf students who prefer to use Czech sign language in their communication. The teaching of the Czech language, in particular learning its written form as a foreign language/second language, should be encouraged for these students. The A2 level, which was measured during the research, was chosen with regard to teaching the language as a foreign/second language, as well as with regard to the same level required by the regulation for the deaf at entrance exams in Czech in secondary schools. This research determines whether or not students across the secondary grade of elementary school reach this level.
The project is presented at the stage of created test and conducted preliminary pilot testing, which helped in development of test material. The results may indicate that the set level (A2) is reached by students in lower grades of the secondary level of primary school. This may indicate that at the end of primary school (grade 9 in the Czech school system) as well as at the entrance exams to secondary schools, a higher language level could be achieved. The project was supported by the Grant Agency of Charles University.