English for Special Educational Needs - Q&A

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about English for Special Educational Needs.

How is this course different from a standard English course?

Every student is different and the teacher's priority is to understand their students' difficulties and at the same time highlight their strengths. The priority of the educator is to create a safe classroom environment with love, understanding and empathy. By making English a game and combining it with the child's interests, all the learning skills that might have seemed impossible to grasp (until now) are mastered step by step.

Are common English books used?

Yes...but also no! There is no doubt that every student has the ability to use the English books one would find in a tutoring school for example, however there is no single answer here. The choice of a textbook is made according to the needs and level of each student, but also according to their interests and age.

Is the student's level tested?

As the lesson is on a one-to-one basis, it is not necessary to know the student's level in advance. However, each student should be matched to a level so that the teaching material can be designed accordingly. The pace of the course is dictated by the student and their abilities. Thus, a preconstructed timeline on mastering specific skills in English may need to be regularly revised so as to fit the individual pace of the student.

It is important to point out that, regardless of one's difficulties, EVERYONE has the ability to master even the highest level of a foreign language without any limitations!

Why is it important to work individually?

Students who experience any difficulty usually feel suffocated in an English class. The main reason is usually the pace of the lesson and the increased amount of homework. It is necessary to avoid blaming both the student and the teacher in this case.

The difficulties that affect a person's learning require a class which can follow the pace of the student, which is usually possible only in individual lessons.

However, this does NOT mean that they cannot join a class as soon as some basic milestones have been reached. In fact, many students benefit from a combination of individual and group lessons!

If you have any other questions about special education English I will be happy to receive them at jskempri@gmail.com

Janette