The neurodiverse language classroom

Whatever age group or type of English you teach, you almost certainly have some students in your group who are perceiving the world in a different way. Some of them you will already know about, and probably they are the topic of many exasperated conversations in the staff room. Others will be working extra hard to keep up, but their efforts may not be rewarded with great results.

In this session, we will consider what neurodiversity means and how the different neurotypes (or specific learning differences – SpLDs – such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, etc) can affect language learning.

Many SpLDs are never formally identified, so we may need to be the ones to take the first steps and evaluate how best to work with our neurodiverse learners. We’ll be discussing how we can spot the key indicators that are evident in the classroom, and what the next steps could be in your context.

Most importantly, we will consider some inclusive practices and activities we can implement in our classrooms that will benefit all learners – especially those with SpLDs.

Speaker bio

Dr. Anne Margaret Smith started her career as a teacher of English as a foreign / additional language around 30 years ago. Alongside her language teaching, she also works as a dyslexia assessor and specialist tutor and is currently also training to be a Speech and Language Therapist. She founded ELT well in 2005 and offers professional development and resources to language teachers in all contexts. She was instrumental in setting up the IATEFL IP&SEN SIG and served as the second co-ordinator of the SIG.

Free for all ELTA members. Please register and state which ELTA you belong to here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIscuqqpjIqHtbcJy-biE6wO67_NY6ELi8m