Learning disabilities in the foreign language classroom: implications for reading in Spanish

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2009-08

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Abstract

The purpose of this report is to inform foreign language (FL) educators about students with learning disabilities (LD) so that instruction can better serve their needs. It applies this to Spanish FL education in the United States, examining reading performance due to the role of reading in academic success and the prevalence of reading LD. The report outlines reading models and the cognitive processes within these approaches to explain how students read. With this understanding, the report examines LD, focusing on the role of phonemic awareness in L1 and FL reading. It analyzes reading instruction in English and Spanish in order to evaluate existing FL strategies and propose new interventions. From this report, educators should gain an understanding of how LD in reading impacts FL and how reading could be better addressed in the Spanish FL classroom.

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