Listening

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Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. eyesight
    • ex. My grandfather has poor eyesight, so he wears glasses.
  2. impair
    • ex. Watching too much TV can impair your vision, making it harder to see clearly.
  3. undiagnosed
    • ex. His illness was undiagnosed, so he didn’t know what was making him sick.
  4. squinting
    • ex. His squinting is a clear sign that he can’t see the road signs from far away.
  5. a screening
    • ex. The doctor recommended a health screening to check for any problems.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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The American Optometric Association says that 1 in 4 children start school with eyesight problems. These problems can impair students’ ability to learn, play sports, and see things clearly. According to eye expert Annette Webb, many kids don’t know they have a problem, so they don’t tell anyone. “They think everybody sees like they do,” Webb said. Undiagnosed eyesight problems may result in behavior issues in kids.

Parents and teachers should watch for signs like squinting and headaches. Eye doctor Megan Collins from Johns Hopkins University says that a child should see a doctor if he or she complains about not seeing well, has red eyes, or hits things accidentally. Collins says that eyesight screenings are important to find out about eye problems early.

Collins also supports eyesight screening programs in schools to help make eye exams more accessible to children. Some schools in big U.S. cities have programs that give free eye exams and glasses. Private groups, like the Lions Club International and VSP Eyes of Hope, offer free glasses for low-income families.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Eyesight Problems in Children

  • What do you think is the cause of eyesight problems in children now? Discuss.
  • The American Optometric Association says that 1 in 4 children start school with eyesight problems. What do you think is the impact of eyesight problems on school children? Discuss.
  • Did you have good or bad eyesight when you were a child? Discuss.

School Programs about Eyesight Screening

  • In your opinion, how important is it for schools to implement eyesight screening programs? Discuss.
  • Some schools in big U.S. cities have programs that give free eye exams and glasses. Do you believe schools in your country should have a similar program? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • How can the government and nonprofit organizations support eye care programs in schools? Discuss.