Exploratory task 2.7 Tick off the strategies that you would use in preparing to retell the text at the examination that is very important for you and you want to do your best

Text

Strategies

Police in southern California have rescued a six-year-old girl chained to her bed in a filthy house. The girl - who was able to communicate only through grunts and moans - is believed to have been imprisoned for five years, in a room filled with human waste. She has been moved to hospital. Police were alerted to the girl's condition by a concerned neighbour. They found the six-year-old girl wearing diapers and chained to a bedpost. The 2ft long (60cm) chain was attached to a harness around the girl's waist. The child was not able to speak...she was able to moan and make small sounds.

Self-organise Self-assess Self-check Re-word Memorise Self-correct Comprehend Improvise Analyse Think critically Rehearse

Good language learners use specific strategies (Brown H. Teaching by Principles. NJ 1994). They sequence priorities of tasks, take notes, address topical issues, get the gist, make comprehension stops and think back, create analogies, exercise active approach to language (rehearse the language whenever possible, contact native speakers, memorize, learn from errors.

Exploratory task 2.8

Hold a survey in your peer group (or among your learners) of the learning strategies they use and report on the findings. Ask questions such as “Do you always sequence tasks in terms of priority before starting to fulfil them?” Instruct the participants to say “Yes” only if they always use a particular strategy.

Good learner strategies	%
Sequence priorities of tasks and start with the main task
Always take notes
Address only topical issues
First try to understand the gist of the material
Make comprehension stops and self-check understanding
Think back and return to what you have already learned or read
Create analogies in mind
Use the language actively and rehearse it even when alone
Take every chance to talk to native speakers
Take every chance to access English mass media
Make efforts to memorise a lot
Keep record of your errors in writing or in mind

Learning disabilities

Warming-up discussion 2.6

Brain-storm the concept of a “learner with problems” and create a mind-map

	Learner with problems

Learning disability is a disorder, which hinders cognitive processes but is subject to improvement through psychological, pedagogical and medical intervention. Sometimes it is described as "learning difficulty" (Farrell, P. 1997. Teaching Pupils With Learning Difficulties. Cassell). Learning disabilities create "problem learners". On average problem learners make about 15% of the general population. Learning disabilities do not include visual, hearing or motor handicaps, mental retardation, emotional disturbance (Kavale,L. and S.Forness. 1995. The Nature of Learning Disabilities. NJ). Mild learning disabilities unlike more serious cases can be dealt with through a number of teaching techniques. Major learning disabilities are attention deficit disorder (inability to concentrate for a long time), dyslexia (difficulties in comprehending lexical meaning while reading), communication disorders (difficulties in establishing and keeping social contacts), memory and processing disorders (weakened mnemonic abilities) behaviour disorders (anxiety, bitterness and potential aggressive behaviour that tells on learning). (Reid, D. W. Hresko and H.Swanson. 1991. A Cognitive Approach to Learning Disabilities. Texas)