ESL students labeled with learning disability
I am curious why some respondents consider ESL students to have a learning disability.
The first sentence in the section "Defining Learning Disabilities" states"Learning disability is defined "as a disorder in one or more of the basic PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESSES involved in understanding or using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write and spell, or to do mathematical calculations."
If an English speaking person was living in a
foreign country, learning the language and going to a career college would you label them learning disabled?
Simply put: most ESL students so not have the basic grasp of the english langauge and that makes their test scores and reading skills a lot lower than one who is english by birth. It is easily misdiagnosed because the similarities between ESL and dyslexia, for example, are mindboggling. Once ESL is determined, wich is very easy, then the concept of learning disabled usually disipates.
Disabled is a loaded term. They are able, but it's a greater challenge. Writing down terms on the board helps. I've had many ESL students who worked hard and placed near the top of the class.
Hi William!
I think we use the term disabled rather losely most of the time when in reality most people have challenges that prevent them from absorbing information. Most of us have some type of learning challenge if we really think about it.
So I usually treat students equally until I know that I should do more for certain students. i.e., I underline, highlight, bold, emphasize info anytime I am interacting with students.
Good job and keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
