DR. KATHLEEN MARIE PERSKY, MD

Plain English
This study looked at how well college students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) and students learning English as a second language (L2) understand certain types of English sentences compared to native English speakers. The research found that native speakers scored higher overall, but both DHH and L2 students showed better understanding as their English skills improved. Specifically, they did better with sentences that were grammatically correct compared to incorrect ones. Who this helps: This benefits educators and support staff who work with DHH and L2 students in improving their English language education.

Plain English
This study investigated how well college students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) understand academic English verbs compared to their hearing peers and those learning English as an additional language. The results showed that DHH students faced significant challenges with academic verbs, achieving lower scores than hearing students, but their scores improved as the words became more common or as their overall English skills improved. This research highlights the need for better support in vocabulary development for DHH students in college settings. Who this helps: This benefits DHH college students and educators working to improve their academic skills.