1. Pupil case study - receptive language difficulties

Name: Megan      Age: 8 years     Setting: Mainstream Primary School Year 3

Strengths: 
• good at drawing 
• enjoys physical activity but not rules of games 
• she enjoys TV and playing on the computer 
• her speech is clear even to the unfamiliar listener 
• follows visual prompts from peers 
• can decode written words

 Areas of need:
• does not follow spoken instructions 
• difficulty sequencing stories and numbers 
• easily confused 
• is aware of difficulty 
• poor attention and listening skills 
• reading comprehension is weak

Impact on learning: 
• limited experience of active involvement in groups 
• unable to keep up with classroom tasks 
• limited ability to understand narrative - both orally and written 
• all areas of the curriculum affected

Impact on social development: 
• slow to join in conversations and take part in class discussion

Emotional behaviour:
• low self-esteem and lack of confidence

Organisational: 
• Needs additional prompts - visual and practical demonstration

Classroom strategies: 
• provide visual support - visual time tables, task plans, pictures etc. 
• always get attention before giving instructions 
• pre-tutor and review key vocabulary - New word targets should be identified which are linked to ongoing classroom topics and activities 
• teachers monitoring their own level of language with regard to length, speed and complexity.  
• break down instructions into short chunks of information 
• praise good listening behaviours 
• encourage active listening skills