Teaching Foreign Languages to the Dyslexic Learner  (Part 3)

·        Vocabulary Enhancement

Vocabulary can be enhanced and improved by the use of cards where words will be on the one side and pictures on the other or at the back of it.  Tapes should accompany flash cards to help students cope with pronunciation.  Watching videos where there are subtitles is an essential step to help the child come to terms with the foreign language.

·        Making learning fun

Making learning fun is vital and essential if educators want to have their students motivated.  Total Physical Response  (TPR) activities where special attention is paid to physical movement, games and activities can help students overlearn their material and keep their motivation high.

Furthermore, those of peer group, whose standard of the foreign language is quite good, can also help dyslexic students.

Finally, metacognition, ‘which is essentially thinking about thinking’ is essential because students should know how they can learn best and ‘which learning strategies work for them.’

Bibliography

Crombie, M., 2000, ‘Dyslexia and the Learning of a Foreign Language in School:  Where Are We Going?’ DYSLEXIA, 6:2, 112-121

Mikelis T.  2004, A Mind-Friendly Framework for Teaching English to Greek Dyslexic Learners,Bangor: M.Ed Dissertation