Korean Job Discussion Forums

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

How do you teach English to special needs children?

I've got one severely dyslexic girl and two retarded teenagers and it really pains me to watch them struggle through trying to learning English.

The girl especially reminds me of myself at her age. I remember being dyslexic and wanting so hard to learn, but not being able to grasp things as quickly as the other kids. It was so frustrating.

I wish I had the training to know how to deal with them.

For those teachers who have had training, what should I be doing?

CanadaCommando · Joined: 13 Feb 2004 Location: People's Republic of C.C.

I have a similiar problem. In my public classes, which all have like 30-40 kids, I have about 8 special needs students in them. My school has full integration-meaning no special classes, no special assignments. They do the same work as everyone else. (The principal told me they wanted to have special classes, but parents were too shamed at the thought of having their kids in it, so no one joined). As a result, I am forced to fail these poor guys because obviously they have no idea what to do.

Back at home you have TA's, S.N. workers, or at least a councelor with modified curriculm based around their disability. To take up the task yourself will be VERY DAUNTING. I wish you all the best...my suggestion for the more severe students is to use as much modeling and physical movement as possible when teaching-allow them to establish links between English and actions. Although, in my opinion, struggling to learn a second language is the last thing a special needs student needs.

As a funny/tragic aside, we DO have certain after school tutoring classes called (in the English translated syllabus) "Classes for Retarded Students". When I asked why those students weren't in these classes, I was told " Oh no, those classes are for the Hockey and Soccer players. "
Funny, they feel the same way about Jocks as I did in Highschool...

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

I work in a public school and have similar problems. My only key with the special needs kids is making sure that they don't disrupt the lesson. so I often bring in some coloring things for them to do. I have a deaf student who is highly intelligent and have taught his class some basic signs in english (american sign language). I really want to get him a book on american sign language.