19/08/2022
“Her story is a remarkable one of hard work, resilience and determination. Dyslexia should never be viewed as a disability that will hold someone back, it is a superpower that those individuals can harness as they see things in a different way that others may not.”
People like Ella, who experience adversity in their education, are a testament that conditions like dyslexia do not have to define ability.
As a secondary teacher of English, I have worked with many young people who come into my classroom with negative experiences of the subject and literacy in general.
This could stem from any number of things, such as:
- struggles with spelling or reading, OR
- misunderstanding the expectations of subject where there is often no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer.
In my tuition lessons, as in my own classroom, I believe that the most important things I can do to encourage students to enjoy and, by extension, excel in English is to provide…
1. Accessible, relevant resources that will keep the interest of the individual student. For example, if a student has trouble keeping focus for long enough to sit down and read a book, we can try audiobooks. If a student, enjoys anime or manga we can integrate graphic novels or comic books into the curriculum to encourage reading. Encouraging reading in any medium is so vital to development in English as it will automatically develop vocabulary, fluency and enjoyment.
2. An open, respectful, supportive environment, where differences (in opinion, culture, beliefs etc.) are celebrated and discussed.
3. A successful working relationship! English is difficult enough for some kids without the added concern of a grumpy teacher. I PRIDE myself on building fantastic relationships with my students, harnessed in mutual understanding of expectations, respect and acceptance.
Hannah x
Ella McEwan had been told that continuing her education was futile due to her severe dyslexia.
