Teaching Young Learners Case Study - Zoe Special Needs Young Learners Reflecting on Case Studies The British Council aims to promote positive attitudes and thinking around students with specific needs. We also aim to create an inclusive learning environment. This case study is followed by a reflection exercise that can be used as a developmental discussion between teachers. Author: Sophie Handy, Teaching Coordinator Teaching Centre: Paris Country: France Student: Zoe, female aged 11: Dyspraxia “Zoe is an 11 year old girl who has dyspraxia. Although a fluent English speaker, like many of her peers she was in a bilingual class to improve her writing skills. I first learnt of Zoe’s needs from a colleague who had taught her. The main challenge we faced together was focusing her attention on the work at hand and getting her to complete her work. She usually wanted to give up half way through, blaming her lack of interest in completing the task on her dyspraxia, of which she is acutely aware. However, unlike most students I have come across with dyspraxia, she has no trouble with reading or spelling, often getting top marks in classroom spelling tests I would say she is unusual in the sense that she is gifted at spelling, clearly enjoys reading lots of books, and yet has dyspraxia. Nevertheless, she had specific needs in comprehension, information processing and listening to instructions. Although Zoe does not have a specific Individual Education Plan (IEP), I support her by making clear worksheets (using a clear font such as Arial in size 14 on pastel-coloured paper) and accepting typewritten work and untidy handwriting. I also assisted by writing down her homework and coaching her during the plenary session of the lesson. In addition, I wrote what we covered in class in her language-learning folder. I always provided written directions for assignments and remained patient and non- judgmental. I included the other students in her learning by creating an atmosphere of support and encouragement in the class. I showed her existing essays, anonymous work from the previous year, as examples for her; removed time pressures to relieve stress and even made sure she had both feet flat on the ground when working at her desk. This seemed to have a calming and anchoring influence on her. By building an atmosphere of trust and respect we created a harmonious working environment where Zoe could interact with the rest of her peers with very little need for differentiation. British Council 2013 1 Teaching Young Learners I learned that Zoe could produce work on a par with other students if given the right type and amount of encouragement. I also learned that catering for different learning styles and making judicious use of differentiation techniques are a big factor in motivating young learners.” Reflection Activities 1. Zoe has got used to blaming dyspraxia for everything she finds difficult or tedious. How could she be encouraged away from this negative thinking? 2. How has this teacher shown sensitivity to Zoe’s needs and found imaginative ways of meeting them? British Council 2013 2 Teaching Young Learners Notes British Council 2013 3