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4th July 2016
Learning Village learner experience explained…
14th September 2016Author: Anne Margaret, ELT well
Sometimes our students who have English as an Additional Language (EAL) seem to be having more difficulty than expected in developing their language and accessing the rest of the curriculum. Most teachers have become more aware of the signs of dyslexia (and other specific learning differences (SpLDs)), but the overlap with the language learning process makes it much more complex to identify EAL learners who also have a SpLD. It can also be difficult to persuade assessors to work with these students, as they often feel that until the learners has enough English to cope with the standardised tests, there is nothing they can do.
However, there are some steps that teachers can take to check whether their gut feelings are correct about learners who seem to be experiencing difficulties. The first step might well be to put in place a systematic observation schedule, so that they and other staff members can keep a record of behavioural and cognitive indicators of dyslexia (or other SpLDs), which are not dependent on language proficiency. This schedule can be a simple chart, on which the class teacher makes a note of behaviours that have caused some concern, and then records how often those behaviours are seen.
You can download a free observation chart by clicking on the buttons at the top and bottom of the article.
These behavioural differences could include the rapid forgetting of information, or forgetting to bring PE kits or other equipment to class. It might be that a child takes a very long time to process instructions and get started on a task, or takes longer to complete tasks than is expected. A teacher might notice that physical co-ordination and/or spatial awareness is a problem, perhaps in handwriting, articulation or navigating around the classroom or the school. There may also be distinctive and unusual patterns of social interaction that mark the child as different, even from other pupils from the same cultural background.
Once a teacher has made a note of any causes for concern, the chart can be shared with everybody who works with that student, so that they can also contribute their views and experiences of that pupil. This should include lunchtime supervisors, and estates and catering staff, who may see the student in a different context, outside the classroom.
After a few weeks, patterns may become clear about where and when these unusual behaviours are exhibited. There may be certain rooms in the school or certain subjects that trigger them, or they may appear across the curriculum and across the school. This would be a great starting point for a conversation with the pupil (and perhaps his/her parents or carers) about how best the school could support his/her learning. It may lead on to further assessment, or it may be that certain elements of the environment or the timetable are causing problems that can easily be resolved. In either case, it is important to reassure the student and the family that the aim is to support, not exclude, and that any personal information that is gathered will be used to inform interventions.
For more information about identifying SpLDs in EAL learners, visit the ELT well website or contact Anne Margaret: [email protected]