International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume VI, Issue IX, September 2022|ISSN 2454-6186
Dyslexia and Foreign Language Learning
Zahra Sadry1*, Muska Momand1, and Mohammad Haroon Hairan3
1Language and Literature Faculty, Balkh University, Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan
3Education Faculty, Smangan Higher Education Institute, Samangan, Afghanistan
*Corresponding Author
Abstract: This study investigates the concept of dyslexia, the nature of problems and challenges that dyslexic student encounter during their studies, possible opportunities and the strategies how to support dyslexic language learners. Through conducting online research and review, it has been revealed that dyslexia is not a stigma nor a severe illness, though it was believed so, but it disclosed how one’s brain can work differently and creatively than others’. Educators and parents have important roles in helping and supporting dyslexic students. Teachers should keep in mind that their helpful encouragement of dyslexic students in their learning process can support them in managing their study and learning habits.
Key words: dyslexia, creativity, language disability, multi-sensory approach and learning
I. INTRODUCTION
Not all learners learn exactly the same way. Every student is unique and has diverse talents and gifts. Learners have various learning abilities, preferences, interests, needs, and difficulties in one single language classroom. There are some students who struggle in their academic career who may have problems in reading, writing and speaking. These students might be deemed lazy or incompetent learners and it is assumed that this condition is due to a lack of intelligence or their carelessness. However, it is noteworthy that these learners need a little more time, effort and special care and attention from their educators and institutions because they are dyslexic learners.
The term dyslexia comes from Greek “dys” meaning impaired function or ‘difficulty’ and “lexia” meaning words or language (Stellpflug, 2008). As stated by Gobbo (2020), dyslexia was coined by a German doctor of ophthalmology Rudolf Berlin in 1887. According to the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary, “Dyslexia is a condition affecting the brain that makes it difficult for one to read or write.” Also, dyslexia is a kind of “language-based learning disability” which affects processing one or more aspects of a language in dyslexics (Knudsen, 2012). Dyslexia is a particular learning difficulty that causes dyslexics to encounter problems in pronunciation, reading, writing and grammar use (Stamboltzi & Tsiftsopoulou, 2017). In a recent study by Habib (2021), dyslexia is defined as one of the common learning and neurological disorders causing impaired reading and low academic success and achievement.
Being dyslexic does not only mean experiencing reading, writing, spelling, communication, and math problems, but it has some positive sides as well. Many studies have shown the ways a dyslexic brain processes instructions and details differs