Previous Next

Dyslexia and language learning

“I have dyslexia – can I learn a language?” The answer is yes! With a supportive teacher, sufficient course and lesson structure, time, practice and positive feedback, learners with any Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) can learn a language to a high level.

 

What is an SpLD?

The term ‘Specific Learning Difficulty’ (SpLD) refers to a difference or difficulty with particular aspects of learning. SpLDs are neurodevelopmental disorders that often affect one’s ability to receive, process, and recall information. The most common SpLDs are dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia.

 

Common features of the SpLDs:

  • Slow speed of information processing- it takes longer to make sense of visual or auditory information
  • Difficulty in arranging letters, words, numbers in a formal or logical structure
  • Poor working memory either auditory or visual
  • People with SpLDs have a preferred learning style which appears to favour right-brain thinking (visual-spatial thinking, intuitive understanding, imagination, emotion, creative problem-solving, holistic thinking, music, colour/pattern/design, and practical/concrete thinking)

 

 

 

SpLDs and foreign languages

Why can having an SpLD make foreign language learning even more of a struggle, you ask?

Language learning is not a natural process for students with dyslexia, whether it is their first language (L1) or a second or third language (L2 or L3). The most common difficulties they encounter are:

  • Phonemic awareness
  • Stabilizing sound symbol relations in new alphabet
  • Retrieving and processing vocabulary
  • Learning grammatical rules
  • Processing metalinguistic explanations

This means that dyslexic students encounter difficulties at almost every step of learning a foreign language.

 

 

Adapting language lessons for SpLDs

It is important that language teachers are aware of techniques to adapt lessons to the needs of individual students, to allow for inclusivity.

 

Dyslexic students benefit from more tuition hours, individual support, and incorporating specialist dyslexia teaching strategies in their language course. Teachers need to be trained on the relevant techniques, monitored and supported.

 

Here at PLS, our teachers receive support and advice on adapting lessons for students with SpLDs, such as dyslexia. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. today, to discuss your language learning needs with our friendly team of course managers.

 

 

About the author:

 

Corinne is a CELTA-qualified English language teacher and has experience setting up and managing language training programmes for the government and corporate firms. Supporting learners with dyslexia is one of her key interests. 

 

Contact Us (HQ)

Language Solutions

263-265 Battersea Park Road

London, SW11 4NE

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7689 1900

Email: webenq@langsols.com

Websitewww.langsols.com

Quick Link
The Langsols Companies
Image
Image
Image
Image