Varinder Unlu: Students with specific learning differences
- 2. How many times have you heard this? “He’s just so difficult!” “Not a natural language learner – can’t keep up with the rest of the class.” Why doesn’t she get it? Everyone else does! “I’ve tried everything. That student just won’t learn!”
- 3. Think about a student/trainee who was particularly difficult to teach... What was it that she/he found difficult? How did she/he behave in class? Was she/he having more problems with learning than the rest of the group?
- 4. Teachers have a role to play in picking out which students may be learning in a different way. AND Think about what they can do to be more inclusive in their teaching.
- 5. What are SpLDs? Dyslexia a developmental difference that is seen mainly in information processing, especially phonological processing. Problems with short term and working memory. Have difficulty with organisation and co-ordination. ADHD a developmental difference that affects those parts of the brain that control attention, impulses and concentration. It’s not a lack of attention. It’s too much attention. Lack filters to ignore what’s going on around them. Lack of focus. Dyspraxia a developmental difference affecting co-ordination, fine motor skills, articulation and sensory perception. Very sensitive to the environment: temperature, light, noise etc. Affects spatial awareness. Dyscalculia learning difference in mathematics. Memory problems. Problem-solving difficulties. Asperger’s syndrome part of autism spectrum. Different from all of the above as it’s not a problem with memory (in fact people with this have very good memories). Difficulty with social interaction, difficulty with social imagination, difficulty with changes in routine. Have very narrow/intense interests (perhaps in only one or two areas eg: computers, trains, dinosaurs, animals etc).
- 7. Some of the issues when trying to identify SpLDs •Cultural differences •Linguistic differences •Communication issues •Assessment issues
- 8. Perceptions of disability / difference Within any society there are different ways of perceiving learning differences. Linguistic differences Linguistic Profile The student’s linguistic profile can affect the way that an SpLD can show up. Cultural differences
- 9. Communication Gathering background information Can be difficult because we’re working with students who speak different languages. Giving feedback Making sure the student understands the implications of the assessment and the findings. Assessment Issues Do we try to use standardised tools that are available and widely recognised, even if they are not fully appropriate for the population we are working with?
- 11. The student’s background Observation Information from class teacher/s and other staff members Background information Linguistic profile Education Health Family
- 12. Literacy practices • Writing in first language? • Reading in first language? • Progress with English literacy? • Potential to develop literacy?
- 13. Short term and working memory Auditory memory – names / noises Visual memory – shapes / colours
- 14. Phonological processing Phonemic discrimination Naming pictures in English / first language Phonemic manipulation Sequencing of days / months
- 15. What can we do to help? 1.Materials 2.Font :Geneva for Mac/Arial/comic sans (nothing with tails or loops) 3.Coloured paper 4.Differentiation 5.Explicit instruction and explicit explanation 6.Multi-sensory teaching 7.Metacognitive strategies
- 17. Support: www.eltwell.com - for resources and advice www.teachingenglish.org.uk – British Council for articles, advice and webinars Coming soon... IATEFL SIG on SENs