Issues in Applied Linguistics

Class lectures, instructional material and all tasks and activites are uploaded on the elearning platform. Also, communication with students is carried out either through the platform or by emails.

Students are required to do the weekly prescribed assignment. For the summative assessment of this course, you will be assessed on the basis of a project; this will be a portfolio of materials you will design aiming to address the needs of learners with dyslexia in an instructed language context. Your materials will be focusing on a particular language aspect or skill: vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading or writing. Your project will be both written and presented on power-point.

Δεν δίνεται.

Dyslexia and MFL OU resources http://www.open.ac.uk/disability/dyslexia-or-other-specific-learning-difficulties.php http://www.open.ac.uk/tutors/disabled-students/specific-learning-difficulties.php OU dyslexia toolkit: http://www3.open.ac.uk/near-you/yorkshire//objects/d2837.pdf Introduction (PDF, 224KB, 1 page) What is dyslexia? (PDF, 285KB, 4 pages) Learning at the OU (PDF, 289KB, 5 pages) Organisation and time management and exams (PDF, 293KB, 5 pages) Reading (PDF, 249KB. 3 pages) Taking notes (PDF, 302KB, 4 pages) Assignment writing (PDF, 301KB, 4 pages) Revision and exams (PDF, 298KB, 7 pages) In conclusion (PDF, 295KB, 2 pages) Real life experience insights / testimonials - very encouraging for dyslexic applicants/students: http://www.open.ac.uk/disability/dyslexia-or-other-specific-learning-difficulties.php The journals “Dyslexia” http://ehis.ebscohost.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/ehost/detail?sid=201147b5-1bdb-4fde-ba4e-367a9d566e34%40sessionmgr14&vid=1&hid=15&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&jid=TR4 and “Annals of Dyslxia” http://ehis.ebscohost.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/ehost/detail?sid=aae69cfd-e6d4-49b8-9bda-9ede445503a9%40sessionmgr111&vid=1&hid=104&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&jid=BM5 are available via the OU library and can be searched online. Books (ebooks available to OU Staff) Margaret Crombie (2003) Dyslexia and Modern Foreign Languages: Gaining Success in an Inclusive Context. David Fulton Publishers Ltd. http://open.eblib.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=987978&echo=1&userid=EMJy8BrF2zQ%3d&tstamp=1365673858&id=9F15A5A66D8D4A8376E5D88BAEF7879F872863EC (ebook) Joanna Nijakowska (2010) Dyslexia in the Foreign Language Classroom. Multilingual matters. http://open.eblib.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=543909&echo=1&userid=EMJy8BrF2zQ%3d&tstamp=1365673930&id=770E1CB66411F6A0EF42B06DCE90F17A1982D119 (ebook) Cogan, J. and M. Flecker (2003) Dyslexia in Secondary School. London: Whurr. Websites A brief guide focusing on school dyslexia: http://www.interdys.org/ewebeditpro5/upload/AtRiskStudentsForeignLanguage2012.pdf A brief survivor’s guide: http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/about-dyslexia/schools-colleges-and-universities/modern-foreign-languages-and-dyslexia.html 6 Quick Tips for Teaching Dyslexic Students Spanish: http://commongroundinternational.com/6-quick-tips-for-teaching-spanish-to-the-dyslexic-student/ This is a pilot course aimed at school teachers and looking specifically at children, but still relevant to tutors of dyslexic adults. A very useful overview on bilingualism and multilingualism and how social dynamics affects language learning today. Useful examples / ideas for lessons and generic information on Dyslexia and other (related) learning difficulties (in particular modules 1,2, 4 & 5): www.dyslang.eu Dyslexia Teacher: http://www.dyslexia-teacher.com/index.htm The University of Edinburgh, Addressing Dyslexia - a very comprehensive toolkit: http://www.addressingdyslexia.org/index.php Dyslexia for Teacher of English as a Foreign Language - University of Lodz – a project as part of the Lifelong Learning Programme. This is an open course for EFL/language teachers and offers various units on how to teach specific skills; Units 4,5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 in particular are very useful (teaching grammar, phonology etc.); useful for any training for tutors with no experience in teaching students with dyslexia: http://course.dystefl.eu/index.php?id=55 A very informal discussion but offers examples of how the learner feels and what doesn't work for him. There are some useful tips for teachers http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080903171131AARBJkg A course designed for TEFL teachers containing a useful section on how to teach the different skills. http://course.dystefl.eu/ Blog by John Bald (dyslexia specialist and consultant) on dyslexia in general and on teaching MFL to dyslexic children (contains case studies, links etc.): http://johnbald.typepad.com/language/dyslexia/ On the same blog an interesting reflection on “French spelling unpacked” - he shows how to explain characteristics of the French language to children: http://johnbald.typepad.com/language/french-spelling-unpacked/ David Wilson’s website deals more broadly with special educational needs and language learning but contains useful information: http://www.specialeducationalneeds.com/ Dr Margaret Crombie has published a number of essential articles outlining practical approaches for teaching - a vast amount of information with chart of characteristics and implications for ML teaching, helpful links and a bibliography: http://www.languageswithoutlimits.co.uk/dyslexia.html The advantages of being dyslexic: http://fp03-146.web.dircon.net/new_page_24.htm Documents and Articles (notes and commentaries) Ganschow, L., Sparks, R., Schneider, E. (1995) Learning a Foreign Language: Challenges for Students with Language Learning Difficulties, DYSLEXIA, 1(2):75-95 The research article outlines the multisensory structured language approach and gives some interesting practical ideas for teaching: http://ehis.ebscohost.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=9cec1d20-fb36-456d-a1d7-07292504db3e%40sessionmgr198&hid=116 Sparks R., Miller K. (2000) Teaching a foreign language using multisensory structured language techniques to at-risk learners: a review, Dyslexia, , Apr-Jun; Vol. 6 (2), pp. 124-32; http://ehis.ebscohost.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&sid=9cec1d20-fb36-456d-a1d7-07292504db3e%40sessionmgr198&hid=116 Jeannette Dietz (2002) The Impact of Linguistic Factors on Dyslexia - Implications for Foreign Language Learning A dossier with references to German and Chinese: http://www.hemmecke.de/jeannette/material/ImpactofLinguisticFactorsonDyslexia2002.pdf Brian Butterworth and Joey Tang, Dyslexia has a language barrier , The Guardian, Thursday 23 September 2004: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2004/sep/23/research.highereducation2 Anushka Asthana, Dyslexics excel at Japanese, The Observer, Sunday 12 February 2006 An article on dyslexic pupils learning Japanese: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/feb/12/schools.research Luz Rello et al, What is Wrong with this Word? Dyseggxia: a Game for Children with Dyslexia (2012) ASSETS’12, October 22–24, Boulder, Colorado, USA. A short article describing a game designed to teach dyslexic children Spanish vocabulary: http://www.academia.edu/1956402/Assets2012_Dyseggxia David Wilson, Dyslexic language learners in secondary education: http://www.countryschool.com/ylsig/members/articles/CATS%20Autumn%2005/Dyslexic.pdf Crombie, Thomson, McColl, Modern Foreign Language Learning Bullet points of challenges, strategies and opportunities, using key points, e.g. grammar, vocab, consolidation: www.diszlexia.hu/Modern%20foreign%20language%20learning.doc Hannah Bienge (2011) Learning a second language when your first is a struggle, The British Council: http://iatefl.britishcouncil.org/2011/sites/iatefl/files/session/documents/hannah_bienge_learning_a_2nd_language_when_your_1st_is_a_struggle_handout.pdf Martha Youman, Dyslexia or second language learning? A very clear PP presentation about dyslexia with a section about second language learning: http://www.slideshare.net/myouman/dyslexia-or-second-language-learning Ania Krzyzak, Dyslexia in the Foreign Language Classroom: A practical guide for teachers A very practical overview: http://www.tefl.net/esl-articles/dyslexia.htm Melanie Jameson, Children and foreign language learning The ideas included in this article are pertinent to adults. It includes ‘Ten routes to success in foreign language learning’: http://www.dyslexia-malvern.co.uk/docs/resources/Children%20and%20foreign%20language%20learning.doc Joanna Nijakowska, Dyslexia in the Foreign Language Classroom Chapter 3, in particular, makes references to dyslexia and foreign language learning http://web.diecezja.wloclawek.pl/dlugosz/do_pobrania/dysleksja_jezyk_obcy20112012.pdf Sparks, R., Ganschow, L. (1991) Foreign Language Learning Differences: Affective or Native Language Aptitude Differences? The Modern Language Journal. Spring, Vol. 75, Issue 1, p3-16 http://ehis.ebscohost.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=c7a90578-c5bb-4a74-ad46-94071138b6b1%40sessionmgr198&hid=7 Kormos,J. , Sarkadi , A. and Csizér, K. (2009) The language learning experiences of students with dyslexia: Lessons from an interview study, Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, Volume 3, Issue 2, pages 115 – 130 A scholarly article studying the difficulties of dyslexic Hungarian students of foreign languages. Research findings from an interview study. Focuses mostly on confidence and teachers' attitudes: http://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/26783/1/dyslexic_language_learners-illtrev.pdf Crombie, Margaret A. (1997) The Effects of Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) on the Learning of a Foreign Language in School, Dyslexia, Mar, Vol. 3 Issue 1, p27-47 http://ehis.ebscohost.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=7&sid=7216c6a2-fb4e-4032-ac80-29324117a07f%40sessionmgr12&hid=106 Liszka, Sarah Ann (2006) Dyslexia and foreign language learning, Academic Exchange Quarterly, Mar 22. Case study and scholarly article: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Dyslexia+and+foreign+language+learning.-a0146219121 Hilary McColl, Checklist: Features of Inclusive Classrooms http://www.languageswithoutlimits.co.uk/resources/Checklist_inclusion.pdf Crombie, M. A. (2000), Dyslexia and the learning of a foreign language in school: where are we going? Dyslexia, 6: 112–123. http://ehis.ebscohost.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=7216c6a2-fb4e-4032-ac80-29324117a07f%40sessionmgr12&vid=2&hid=8 Sparks, Richard L.; Miller, Karen S. (2000) Teaching a foreign language using multisensory structured language techniques to at-risk learners: a review, Dyslexia, Apr-Jun, Vol. 6 Issue 2, p124-132 http://ehis.ebscohost.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=5&sid=7216c6a2-fb4e-4032-ac80-29324117a07f%40sessionmgr12&hid=106 Anna Krzyżak (Gdynia, Poland), Dyslexia in the Language Classroom: Practical Guidelines for Teachers A short paper, practical suggestions boil down to: use multisensory methods for learning, and build confidence: http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Krzyzak-Dyslexia.html Martha Youman, Dyslexia or second language learning? A very clear PP presentation about dyslexia with a section about second language learning: http://www.slideshare.net/myouman/dyslexia-or-second-language-learning Video An interesting video, claiming that dyslexics have extremely strong 3D visual imaginations, and that when they see written words, they perceive them as objects and manipulate them in their minds, making it more difficult to read them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxA_rvSNpx8 This video describes dyslexia as a different way of storing information in the brain, making dyslexics very good at making unusual connections between things, but not good at coming up with specific answers to questions quickly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2CIjD1gEiE&NR=1 Generic Resources for Students University of Sheffield: Study skills for students with dyslexia: http://dyslexstudyskills.group.shef.ac.uk/index.html http://www2.hull.ac.uk/fass/modern-languages/facilities/support/dyslexia-and-modern-foreign.aspx EDYSGATE: GRUNDTVIG 1 Project covers 7 areas of dyslexic features and aims to train young adults - games for Dyslexic adults dyslexic adults: http://www.edysgate.org/site/index_main.php?lang=en&returnTo= Generic Resources for Tutors - CPD The Journey to Excellence: a personal Development Pack for Meeting the needs of learners with dyslexia (Education Scotland): http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/resources/j/learnerswithdyslexia.asp?strReferringChannel=supportinglearners&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-525742-64 Other Generic Resources - sites http://www.open.ac.uk/disability/dyslexia-or-other-specific-learning-difficulties.php http://www.beinkandescent.com/articles/847/education-summit-school http://adshe.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ADSHE-Guidelines-June-20091.pdf http://archive.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=124856 http://www.dyslexiahelp.co.uk/ Technology - Assistive Technology - Tools Flashcard programmes Memrise – flashcards programme with user-generated content, making use of mnemonics and sound for learning: www.memrise.com http://quizlet.com Flashcard learning allows the student to review vocabulary as many times as they wish. Quizlet also works at different levels of word recognition, i.e. meaning, form, sound. Students can create their own sets or use tutor produced sets, if there are any: http://quizlet.com Another flashcard programme similar to Quizlet with a slightly different interface: http://www.studystack.com/ Anki is a downloaded programme and follows the spaced repetition principle, focusing on those words that need more attention; tracks progress: http://ankisrs.net/ Assistive technology Commercial site selling colour overlays that may be helpful to dyslexics: http://irlen.com/index.php Commercial site selling a very wide range of technologies to aid the dyslexic, they also have a collection of articles that may be of interest http://www.dyslexic.com/index.asp?url=IND Mindmapping tools IKonMap, concept mapping tool http://www.ikonmap.com Xmind, ,apping software, http://www.ikonmap.com/login http://mind42.com/ https://bubbl.us/ http://www.mindmeister.com/ Text-to-Speech IMTranslator, uses avatars to translate and read texts in different languages www.imtranslator.com/ https://acapela-box.com/AcaBox/index.php CLARO Read Plus V5, text to speech software (USB), www.claroread.com/ Guidelines for modification and adjustment of materials http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/about-dyslexia/further-information/dyslexia-style-guide.html Organisations British Dyslexia Association: http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk Association of Dyslexia Specialists in HE: http://adshe.org.uk/ Dyslexics: http://www.dyslexics.org.uk/ EU funded projects Dyslang www.dyslang.eu/ Dyslexia Veto www.dyslexia-veto.eu/ Caldys2 - aimed to motivate dyslexic individuals to learn English on a mobile phone http://www.caldys2.eu/ ADysTrain, Leonardo da Vinci project www.adystrain.project-platform.eu/about-project.html Resources – Printables, Games etc. A printable. You can make a large dice with common/difficult syllables to pronounce, or short common words that illustrate spelling patterns. For children, but everybody loves a short game in a language lesson and this would help everybody at beginner level. You can support it with speech: http://www.senteacher.org/wk/dice1.php Templates and bank of pictures to make materials with pictures: http://www.senteacher.org/Worksheet/6/PECS.xhtml This section focuses on literacy and there are lots of templates to make your own dominoes, tiles and many more: http://www.senteacher.org/Print/Literacy/