2015-08-21
239
Complete the grid to show what qualities a professional teacher needs in order to deal with the learners having learning disabilities
| Personal qualities |
It is recommended to give the children gift of time, to use all the means of sensory media, combine auditory and visual input. It is effective to use laconic formulaic language, present one and the same material in a variety of presentations. Experienced teachers break the tasks into digestible chunks, concentrate learners' attention, work to the learners' strength, praise and reward, build on success. A useful strategy is to provide for learning in advance and prompt the answer if necessary. The general approach is "its-the-process-that-matters", in which the failures are attributed to the teaching techniques but never to the learner’s disabilities (Madeline, E. 1996. Understanding Second Language Learning Difficulties. Sage Publications).
Exploratory task 2.10
Below you are given the techniques of teacher’s intervention to deal with learning disabilities in the students. What problems should the learners experience that can be remedied with the help of these interventions? Indicate these problems in the right-hand column. The first has been done for you
| Interference | Learner’s problems |
| 1. Increase teacher’s waiting time | |
| 2. Let the learners read the text while listening to the recording | |
| 3. Use short and clear explanations | |
| 4. Use short and clear rules | |
| 5. Give short chunks of text for reading | |
| 6. Make the questions laconic | |
| 7. Offer the cues to speak from | |
| 8. Listen to the learner’s recital after classes | |
| 9. Praise the learner for a small success | |
| 10. Give a long notice of the assignment | |
| 11. Offer answer keys | |
| 12. Praise for the participation |
Micro-research
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Work out a questionnaire to elicit how your peer learners reflect on their own school learning experience. Ask your questions about the attitude of the teachers to them, the effectiveness oft the lessons, favourite subjects and the reasons for the choice, the stressful situations, the congruence of the learner’s and teacher’s style, the total satisfaction with the school experience etc (some 10-15 questions). Administer the questionnaire and share the results.
