Book Preview of Chapter 9:
Learning a Foreign Language
Learning Disabilities: There is a Cure
2nd Edition
Author: Addie Cusimano, M.ED.
Page 95-96: It is not uncommon for educators and parents to assume that learning disabled students will find studying a foreign language tremendously difficult or impossible to learn. Too often we find students, both learning disabled and those who are not learning disabled, struggling and frustrated when faced with the task of learning a foreign language. The question of whether or not learning disabled students are capable of learning a foreign language often is a concern for parents and teachers. There is definite evidence, however, that proves that students who read at a fourth grade level and above can learn a formally taught foreign language. There are, however, two major factors that play a tremendous role in making this possible. They are:
1.The types of teaching materials and teaching techniques that an
educator uses to teach the foreign language.
2.The inclusion and teaching of specific work and study skills within the
language curriculum
Let’s consider first how we teach a foreign language.It is a known fact that students learn best by means of a combined visual and auditory mode. Therefore, whenever possible, educators should present the foreign language lessons using a visual and auditory mode simultaneously. When new words, phrases or verb tenses are introduced, educators should make sure that students see the words while they hear them spoken. In addition...........
Please Note:
This chapter is full of specific teaching techniques for teaching a foreign language that are often not a part of foreign language textbooks, yet essential for learning a foreign language. Ms. Cusimano give many examples of the types of exercises that should be a part of the teaching of a foreign language. In addition, she thoroughly discusses study skills that all students who study a foreign language should know. Since studying a foreign language requires different study techniques that those that we use to study history or science, this chapter is extremely valuable for foreign language teachers as well as anyone who is studying a foreign language.
