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A Foreign Language Learner with Severe Learning Difficulties

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Introduction
n Emily's cognitive impairments are such that she attends a nearby school for pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). The teachers at this SLD/PMLD school have approached your department for advice about the introduction of MFL into the curriculum. They believe that the subject would enhance the learning experience of Emily and her peers if taught appropriately. You have been elected to research what good practice already exists in the MFL for SLD/PMLD field, to provide basic guidelines for MFL non-specialists and to visit the SLD/PMLD school to speak to the staff and to deliver a series of MFL lessons to the students

Problem 1
n How do educational professionals respond to the idea of teaching a modern foreign language to pupils with SLD/PMLD?
n Two threads on the TES Staffroom online discussion group illustrate the dilemma. Languages for SLD students simply presents the entrenched positions, while in Teaching Spanish to extreme special needs changes in attitude can be discerned as practice defies expectations. Until the TES transfers all threads from its old to its new website, these links may be out of action.

Problem 2
n How do special schools for pupils with severe learning difficulties already deliver modern foreign language courses?
n Read the article Sherwood Park School, where French was sensitively and successfully introduced into the curriculum of Surrey pupils with SLD/PMLD. Then turn to pages 46-47 of the European Commission report Special Educational Needs in Europe: The teaching and learning of languages for an article about foreign language provision at The Shepherd School in Nottingham, a special school for pupils with SLD. Further good MFL practice in schools for severe learning difficulties can be found here for French and here for German.

Problem 3
n What modern foreign language teaching materials have been developed for pupils with severe learning difficulties?
n Find out how other language versions of Writing with Symbols, a standard talking word processor in such special schools, can give pupils with SLD access to the MFL curriculum. Then access Come on let´s talk about.... - Andere Sprachen und Kulturen für SchülerInnen der Schule für Geistigbehinderte to review Gabriele Bolay's teaching materials for such learners of English in Germany.

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